Running Head: Bioprospecting for Biomass Hydrolysing Fungi Bioprospecting for Superior Biomass Hydrolysing Fungi from Diverse Habitats

Abstract

Bioprospecting activities tap vast sources of microbes from diverse and extreme habitats. Microbial hydrolases are important in the development of sustainable biomass energy or biofuels. To achieve full potential of this resource, there is a need to discover novel, unexploited microbes and their enzymes. So, a bioprospecting survey was conducted to identify fungal sources of biomass hydrolysing enzymes from different environments. Out of the total isolates, 39 were found to exhibit cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic and ligninolytic activities. Qualitative enzyme assays were performed using specific soluble substrates. Submerged fermentation of paddy straw/carrot grass (Parthenium hysterophorus) was then done to quantify the lignocellulolytic potential of all the isolates. The isolate CM20, identified to be Aspergillus terreus, was found to be a superior producer of cellulases and xylanases, while the isolate LG7, identified as Myrothecium roridum, was found to produce ligninolytic enzymes in high amounts. The study, therefore, resulted in the identification of cellulolytic and ligninolytic fungi which could be used in biorefineries for the development of greener energy.