Isolation and Potential Testing of Cellulolytic Fungi from Tea Processing Waste

Abstract

Tea as one of the long-established agricultural commodities in Indonesia, generates significant amounts of solid waste throughout the year. Tea waste, which has a low C/N ratio, can be used as compost to replace inorganic fertilizers, because it contains high nitrogen. The high carbon content can also be utilized as a soil ameliorant that acts as a soil buffer, because it has a high water absorption capacity. This research was conducted at the Soil Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatra Utara. Cellulolytic microorganisms from tea factory waste were isolated using Carboxyl Methyl Cellulase (CMC) media, and superior fungal isolates were tested for their potential to degrade organic materials in raw tea factory waste. The results of the study revealed the presence of 5 fungal isolates, with isolate J3 showing potential in decomposing organic materials, resulting in a C/N ratio of 12.62, followed by a pH of 6.96. Fungal with the best potential test results can be used as decomposers in organic matter that is high in cellulose content which is difficult to decompose.