Pectinolytic and Cellulolytic Activity of Soil Fungal Isolates From Similipal Bioreserve Forest

Twenty five fungal strains were isolated from soil of Similipal Bioreserve Forest and screened for pectinase and cellulase activity. Aspergillus sp. was found to be predominant in the sample. Out of which, Aspergillus and A. flavus showed high cellulolytic and pectinolytic activity having potency index of 4.5 for IFcel and 4.1 for IFpect, respectively. Parameters like pH and temperature were optimized for the potent strains. The present study concludes that both of the strains can be further utilized for large scale industrial purpose.