Isolation and Screening of Lignocellulolytic Microbes from Cow Dung for Rapid Composting of Rice Straw

The present work aimed to isolate and screen the lignocellulolytic microbes from cow dung, partially decomposed straw and forest soil. A total of 60 isolates from which 41 bacterial, 15 fungal and 4 actinomycetes distinct isolates obtained were further subjected to lignocellulolytic screening. The 60 isolates when screened for their ability to produce cellulase enzyme 21 bacterial isolates showed positive. The highest halo zone was shown with greater hydrolysis capacity ranging from 1.04 to 2.58. The 60 isolates were then subjected to screening for lignolytic activity by using methylene blue, azure B as indicator for bacteria and tannic acid as indicator for fungi. Out of them 11 bacterial isolates showed decolourisation of methylene blue and azure B and 4 fungal isolates were to exhibit positive for tannic acid assay which is indication for lignolytic activity. Among these 60 isolates 3 bacterial isolates CD-5, PDS-3, and PDS-6 showed both cellulolytic and lignolytic activity.