Microorganisms, especially fungi are the leading producers of an array of industrial enzymes. Microbial cellulases are the enzymes that are sold in- large volumes due to their enormous applications in biochemical industry. Selection of the right organism plays a predominant role in high yield of desirable enzymes. Hence an attempt was made in the current study to isolate and screen novel fungi from forest soil for the optimal production of exo and endo- 1,4-β-D-glucanases (FPase and CMCase). In this study eight fungal cultures were isolated and screened, out of these four cultures were found to exhibit cellulolytic activity. The most potent isolate which exhibited maximum cellulolytic activity was identified as Purpureocilliumlilacinum based on microscopic observation and molecular characterization. The activities of cellulases were determined by Filter paper assay (FPA), Carboxy-methyl cellulase (CMCase) assay. A significant FPase and CM Case activities was shown by Purpureocilliumlilacinum grown on Czapex-Dox medium.
