Abstract

This study was aimed to screen the cellulytic ability of some genera ofZygomycetes under laboratory conditions. Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) and Wheat straw (WS) were used as the only carbon source in a minimal culture medium. Four days after inoculation, released proteins and sugars were assayed with related reagents and repeated each, 3 days up to the 31^th day. Statistical analysis showed significant variation in released sugars but no significant variation in released proteins among tested genera. Mucor hiemalis f. corticola had highest and Mucor circinelloides f. circinelloides had lowest sugar levels. Glucose levels forM. hiemalis f. corticola increased until 16 days after inoculation, then decreased until 25^th day, but had no variation until 30^th day. These results showed that isolates belonging to the same forms had no significant difference in cellulase activity, but the ability of different genera and species were noticeable. This study also showed that WS medium can be effectively used for cellulase production by fungi.

Key words: Cellulase activiy, carboxy methyl cellulose, wheat straw, protein assay, sugar assay.