Isolation and characterization of a novel lignocellulose decomposing fungal strain

A strain F1 with high cellulase activity obtained from the deadwood stack was characterized as Ceriporia lacerate by examination of the general taxonomical characteristics and phylogenetic sequence analysis of rDNA ITS gene. The endoglucanase (EG) and filter paper cellulase (FPase) activities of the strain showed remarkable stability in the pH range of 4.0-7.0, and maintained about their maximal value of 76% and 50% after incubation at 70 degrees C for 6 h respectively. The strain grew particularly well with CMC-Na (1.0%) and yeast extract (0.4%) at 28 degrees C (pH 6.0) in flasks stirred at 150 x g for 6 days. Based on the thermostability and pH stability of cellulase, the strain appears to have potential in industrial applications and bioresource utilization.