STUDY OF THE POTENTIAL OF MARINE FUNGAL ISOLATES FOR LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS UTILISATION

Agrowastes are abundantly destroyed by burning. The present study investigates the potential of the microorganism isolated from the marine source to degrade cellulose, lignin and hemicelluloses, they may even have high potential to produce secondary metabolites which are commercially important for the industries along with the lignocelluloyltic enzymes. In this study, marine samples were collected from the coastal areas of Mangalore, cuddalore and puducherry. The isolation of fungi was carried and the fungal isolates were screened for lignocellulose degradation. The fungi showing maximum degradation were identified as Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus niger and these were chosen for testing the degradation capacity on eighteen different substrates. These substrates were chosen from rural Bangalore based on their abundance and economic feasibility. The biochemical conversion to simpler sugars for each substrate by the fungal isolates was determined by DNS and lignin oxidation assay. Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viride exhibited maximum degradation of Cellulose in 8 substrates within the 1st 5 weeks. Whereas lignin oxidation was maximum during the 3rd week, Aspergillus niger oxidized 13 substrate and Trichoderma viride oxidized 12 substrate. Lignin is a phenolic polymer which gives structural stability and resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis to the cellulosic biomass. Very few organisms have been found to have an extensive lignin oxidation ability which liberates the cellulose content which can be used by cellulose degraders to yield sugar and energy, this potential was found in the isolates on the tested substrates, making them industrially important strains. In addition, the wastes have also proved to generate sugars and energy which can be utilised by the several other organisms for applications in various industries.