Studies on Diversity of Cellulolytic fungi in Gorakhpur, with special reference tocellulase activity of most Frequent fungi

Microorganisms, especially fungi and bacteria cause biodeterioration of our cultural heritage including paper, cloths, wood and leather. Cellulolytic Fungi cause decomposition of papers and cloths present as waste material. In the present investigation, fungi invading books of Rajkiya Jila Pustkalaya (Govt. District Library), Gorakhpur and Central Library of St. Andrew’s College, Gorakhpur have been collected, cultured and identified. Isolations from a total number of eight samples and four isolates from each sample have been done. Fifteen species of these cellulolytic fungi belonging to seven genera have been reported. The two most abundant species found are Aspergillus niger and A. flavus, which have been isolated from all the 4 isolates of 8 samples. These two species have been selected for detailed studies of their cellulolytic activities. Enzymatic Index (EI) of these two species have been calculated using CMC Agar Medium and Gram Iodine Solution as indicator. EI of Aspergillus niger is reported to be 2.50 and of A. flavus as 1.3125.