Cellulolytic Fungi from Palm Pressed Fiber, Empty Fruit Bunch, and Palm Trunk

Cellulolytic fungi have shown potential applications in various industries such as pulp and paper, agriculture, biofuel production, and textile. The purpose of this is study to isolate, screen and identify cellulolytic fungi from palm. Twenty (20) fungi strains were isolated and screened. Seven (7) isolates: 3 Aspergillus spp, (2) Trichoderma spp, 1 Rhizopus species, and 1 Penicillium spp had significant cellulolytic activity. Trichoderma species, C (from palm pressed fiber), showed the highest clearance zone of 11.5mm. Also, Rhizopus species (A) and Trichoderma species (B) (from empty fruit bunch and palm pressed fiber, respectively), showed high clearance zone of 8.5mm, and 6.5mm, respectively, with Aspergillus species (D and E) (palm truck and empty fruit bunch), having the most minor clearance zone of 1.0mm, each for the 3-5 days assayed. All the fungi isolates elicited high mycelia weight by the 4th day, with Trichoderma species(C) having the highest; 0.79g, followed by Trichoderma species (B) (0.58g) and Aspergillus species (D) (0.53g). Aspergillus species (E) (0.38g) showed the least mycelia weight. Trichoderma species, Rhizopus species, and Aspergillus species isolated and screened could be potential sources of cellulases for industrial application.