Characterization of lignocellulolytic fungi isolated from cocoa rhizosphere under different cropping patterns

Abstract

Cocoa plantations may provide a considerable amount of fungal biodiversity with high potential as soil organic matter biodecomposer agents. Therefore, the isolation and characterization of potential fungi is the first step to obtain the wide variety of lignocellulolytic enzymes. This study aimed at identifying potential lignocellulolytic fungi isolated from different type cocoa cropping pattern. The lignocellulose-degrading enzymes was determined by growing the isolated fungi on Guaiacol containing PDA media, and CMC media with additional of Red Congo solution. Their potential index (IP) was scored by measuring the diameter of the clear zone around the fungal colonies. Our identifications suggest the presence of both ligninolytic, and cellulolytic enzymes through a reddish, and clear zones produced around the colonies. Additionally, we identified two types of potential fungi with higher potential index both ligninolytic and cellulolytic, including strain fungal CSF#5 and CSF#15 which belongs to the group of fungi Ascomycetes.