Ability of rhizosphere fungi isolated from Swietenia mahagoni litter to produce organic matter-degradating enzymes

In general, soil is inhabited by various microorganism, including fungi, which greatly influence the plant growth. Fungi producing enzymes are very helpful in term of decomposition process. The composting process requires an activator in organic matter decompotion.To determine wheater fungi produce enzymes, it is necessary to evaluate the activity of the enzyme substrates in the fungi particularly producing cellulose, amylase, chitinase and pectinase enzymes. To assess enzyme production, those isolates were inoculated onto Czapek Dox Agar(CDA) media added with Triphenylmethane dyes, as well as cellulose, starch, chitin and pectin substrates. The results of this study revealed that the genus Rhizopus and Fusarium were the most effective fungi producing cellulase, amylase, chitinase, and pectinase.This study is the first report on the fungal activities degrading organic matter isolated from S. mahagony.