Fungi associated with deteriorated textiles and their cellulolytic activity

A total of 54 fungi were found to be associated with the deteriorated samples of textile during storage by direct observation, standard blotter method and agar plate method. Total number of samples collected from different places were twenty three which are divided in nine categories. Highest number of fungi (54) were isolated by agar plate method followed by standard blotter method (30) and direct observation (14). Sample one - S(1) (Cotton Cloth) was found to be infested by maximum number (49) of species. Genus Aspergillus infested all the nine samples and Spegazzinia was least involved in the infestation. Genus Aspergillus occurred in highest percent concentration (22.21) followed by Penicillium (10.08). Isolated fungi were tested for their ability to decompose cellulose in culture using standard techniques. Thirteen species exhibited strongest activity to decompose cellulose, twelve species were moderate decomposer and remaining twenty nine species were either weak decomposer or non-decomposer of cellulose.