Abstract:
Microorganisms such as fungi are being explored as potential sources of lignocellulose-degrading
enzymes which are used in industrial applications such as biopulping and
biobleaching. Lignocellulose-degrading fungi are found in mangrove habitats. Fungi
isolated from decaying wood and leaf litter of the mangrove forest in Samal Island were
screened for production of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes using plate enzyme assay.
A total of 63 fungal isolates were obtained from mangrove forest using spread plate
method. Fourteen fungal isolates have survived the subculturing and were screened for
the production of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, cellulase and polyphenol oxidase
using plate assay. Ten (five Aspergillus sp. and five Penicillium sp.) showed positive
results for cellulase activity as indicated by the yellow-colored zones around the fungal
colony in carboxymethyl cellulose agar plate. Three Penicillium sp. isolates have the
ability to produce polyphenol oxidase as indicated by the brown colored zone around the
fungal colony in MEA with tannic acid plate. Four isolates showed negative results for
both enzymes tested. Fungal isolates that produced cellulase and polyphenol oxidase
were then characterized and identified as Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. based on
colony morphology, hyphae and reproductive structures. The fungi isolated from leaves
and woody litter of the mangrove forest in Samal Island, Davao del Norte serve as
potential sources of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, particularly cellulase.
