Identification of a Cellulose Degrading Fungal Strain and Determination of Cellulase Activity

In order to look for efficient cellulose degrading microorganisms and use it in composting silkworm excrement, we adopted CMC-Na as the carbon source and isolated cellulose degrading strains from woodland humus soil of Taishan Mountain. As a result,one fungal strain with high cellulose degrading efficiency was obtained and named C2 based on Congo red cellulose hydrolytic circle measurement,filter paper degradation test and cellulase(filter paper enzyme)activity assay. Morphological observation and 18S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that this strain belonged to Penicillium oxalicum. C2 strain possessed high filter paper degrading ability and could degrade the filter paper into paste within 5 days. C2 strain owns high cellulase activity. After being cultured for 3 days on a shaking bed,filter paper cellulose produced by this strain could reach 132. 26 U/ mL,being of high practical values.