Preliminary screening of isolated fungi for their lignocellulolytic potential

The present study was aimed at isolation, purification and screening of paddy straw degrading (lignocellulolytic) fungi for enhancing digestibility and biogas production. A total of 55 cultures were isolated, purified and screened qualitatively on agar plates. Ten isolates showing maximum lignocellulolytic potential were further studied for their growth profile, mycelia characteristics and sporulation pattern. The results obtained were compared with standard culture namely Coriolus versicolor MTCC 138.Three isolates namely N3, N6 and N15 were identified as Fusarium, Trichoderma and Penicillium, respectively by slide culturing method and are the potential lignin degraders which can be used for paddy straw pretreatment for enhancing biogas production.