Summary
Cellulolytic activity of four fungal species growing on solid medium containing acid-swollen cellulose could be detected much more easily if fungal growth was partly inhibited by the detergent Triton X-100. The dye, aniline blue-black, did not affect growth but increased the sensitivity of detection of cellulolytic activity of both fungi and bacteria. Separating fungi from cellulose fibres by a layer of agar or by filters showed that cell-fibre contact is not necessary for cellulose degradation. Such degradation is clearer when contact is prevented.
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Kauri, T., Kushner, D.J. Detection of cellulolytic activity of bacteria and fungi growing on agar surfaces. Biotechnol Tech 2, 149–152 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01875755
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01875755