A comparative study of cellulase production in inorganic and organic supplements by a cellulolytic tree bark fungus

The study was conducted to compare the cellulase production using organic and inorganic supplements by isolating a tree bark (Mangifera indica) fungus, for a cost-effective cellulase production. Three fungi (f1, f2 and f3) were isolated from the bark of the tree, of which f3 was found to be potential in cellulase production which was confirmed by primary screening (congo red activity staining). Through endoglucanase and total cellulase activity assays, it was observed that the isolated strain exhibited cellulase activity of 0.25 U/ml for endoglucanase when 1% CMC was supplemented to the medium. An activity of 8 IU/g towards FPase and for endoglucanase 10.35 U/g was obtained on non-purified inorganic supplements. Sugarcane bagasse was found to be the best inorganic supplement for cellulase production. Here, we try to adopt a cost-effective production strategy of cellulase. The future perspective of this investigation is to identify the strain and purification of the enzyme for industrial purpose