Abstract
In the study, twenty strains of cellulose degrading microbes (Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp., Aspergillus spp. etc.) were isolated from the gut of termites and earthworms collected from different locations. The cellulolytic activity of the isolates of Aspergillus spp. were determined based on the formation of clear zone on CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) media. The strain C18 of Aspergillus flavus isolated from the gut of termite produced the largest zone with maximum cellulolytic index of 7.64. All the purified strains were subjected to in vitro cellulase activity through DNS (3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid) method which showed that strain C18 of Aspergillus flavus produced the maximum amount of glucose (0.507 mg ML ) and the -1 cellulase enzyme ( IU ML ) was recorded as 0.187 IU ML . Out of twenty microbial strains, ten best -1 -1 microbial strains were selected and subjected to in vitro FPA (filter paper assay). Aspergillus flavus strain C18 was found most effective with maximum glucose (1.059 mg ml ) and cellulase enzyme (0.196 -1 IUML ) production after 9 days of inoculation and therefore the consortium was made from two most -1 effective Aspergillus flavus strains (C12 and C18) which were found best effective in degradation of wheat straw substrate i.e., 61 per cent degradation of initial substrate weight. After evaluation of each strain, effective strains (C12 and C18) were used to prepare consortium formulations for commercial use in the field. These cellulolytic microbes have significant role in agro-waste management by degradation without harming the land and environment.. KEYWORDS :Agro-waste, Aspergillus flavus, biodegradation, cellulolytic microbes, formulation
Published Version
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