Characterization and Evaluation of Cellulases and Hemicellulases Produced by Diverse Fungal Strains

Sixteen mesophilic fungal strains of Aspergilli (10) and Penicilli (3) and Cochliobolus lunatus isolated from deciduous green forests and wetlands were characterized at molecular level and screened for cellulases (endoglucanase, β- glucosidase (cellobiase), cellobiohydrolase (CBHI/EGI) and FPase) and hemicellulase (xylanase, α -Larabinofuranosidase, β -xylosidase, acetyl xylan esterase and feruloyl esterase) production on rice straw & wheat bran containing solidified substrate. Penicillium janthinellum (3CHP) was found to produce high levels of β-glucosidase and α- L-arabinofuranosidase activities, whereas, Aspergillus tubingensis (8 DAL) produced maximal levels of endoglucanase, Fpase, xylanase and β-xylosidase. The cultures extracts from different strains were analysed for expression of multiple isoforms of endoglucanases, β-glucosidases, xylanases, α-L-arabinofuranosidases, β-xylosidases and acetyl xylan esterase. The enzyme cocktails were used for saccharification of alkali treated rice straw at substrate loading rate of (7%). The maximal saccharification (56%) was observed in enzymatic hydrolysates from Aspergillus terreus.