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ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to determine the potential cellulolytic activity of identified fungi cultured from the stored spoilt fruits. The specific objectives include evaluating the fungal profile of the spoilt fruits, determine the tentative identity of the purified fungal cultures and evaluating the potential cellulolytic activity of the fungal isolates cultured from the spoilt fruits. A total of nine (9) fruits were purchased which included Avocado pear, Soursop and Banana from three local markets all within Benin City, Edo state. The result showed the presence of seven fungi isolates with two isolates; Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus sp. which were isolated from Banana bought at Uselu market and Soursop from Uselu market respectively; showing the highest cellulolytic activity within the range of 0.6-0.9cm, Aspergillus niger isolated from Soursop bought at Ringroad showed moderate cellulolytic activity of 0.5cm and Rhizopus stolonifer isolated from Soursop bought from uselu market showed a lower cellulolytic activity of 0.3cm while three isolates (Fusarium grenanium, Fusarium sp. and Rhizopus microsporus) showed no cellulolytic activity. Cellulolytic microbial communities are highly distinctive and based on their habitat can be very diverse and novel sources of highly efficient and robust enzyme systems capable of utilizing an array of biomass from wide variety of plant sources. The prospects of improved enzyme characteristics with greater physical stability and increased efficiency could significantly reshape the cellulolytic enzyme market.
