Abstract:Numerous semi-decomposed straws, half decayed wood and soil with rich humus collected from different regions of China were studied to screen and characterize novel fungus with powerful cellulose degradation capability on corn straws. 120 strains were isolated from these resources by standard separation methods. A fungus (CM-1) with high-yield cellulase was obtained after a three-step screening by cellulose congo red medium culturing, evaluation of FPA and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) activities and weight loss rate of straws powder degraded. The corn straw degradation capabilities of MC-1, the control strain Trichoderma spp. and their mixed fermentation liquor HJ-1 were compared. Results showed that the cellulose hydrolysis circle diameter of MC-1 cultivated in Congo red culture medium for 72 h was 8.52 cm. After cultivated for 48 h, the CMC enzyme activity of MC-1 was 96.31 U/g and filter paper enzyme activity was 8.68 U/g. The results of indoor straw decay test showed that straw weightlessness rate and cellulose decomposition rate rose rapidly within the starting 15 days, and then the speed begun to reduce. After 45 days, the straw weightlessness rate of MC-1 reached 46.84 %. The weightlessness rate and cellulose decomposition rate of straw treated with HJ-1 was higher than single fungus agent.
