Cellulose Enzymatic Activity of Rhizopus oryzae and Degrading Efficiency on Agricultural Waste

  Objective   Activity and efficiency of agriculture waste-degrading capability of Rhizopus oryzae C1 were investigated.

  Method  R. oryzae C1 isolated from mold-infected corn cobs was cultured in a liquid medium to measure the activities of carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase), filter paper enzyme (FPase), and microcrystalline cellulase (Avicelase). Subsequently, the fermentation broth was introduced onto vegetable leaves to estimate the decomposition effect of R. oryzae C1.

  Result  The greatest enzymatic activity of CMCase was detected in R. oryzae C1 at 35.33 U·mL⁻¹ followed by those of Avicelase and FPase. The isolated R. oryzae C1 displayed a significant degradation effect on the vegetable farm waste.Within 6 d after introduction of the fermentation broth on vegetable leaves, 47% of the starting waste material was liquified. In contrast, no decomposition appeared on control.

  Conclusion  R. oryzae C1 had shown to be a fiber-degrading fungus with a high CMCase activity and a significant decomposition efficiency on farm discards. The bacterial fermentation broth demonstrated a rapid and high rate in decomposing vegetable leaves. It was conceivably that R. oryzae C1 or its derivatives be developed to degrade field waste materials and vastly curtail pollution and improve ecology of a farming environment.