CELLULOLYTIC FUNGI FROM DRY AREAS OF ALGERIAN SAHARA AND ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CELLULOLYTIC ACTIVITY

Thirty eight fungal species were isolated from six samples of soil collected from following saharan localities: Biskra, Touggourt and Ouargla. Species identified are mesophiles representing Phycomycetes, Deuteromycetes and Ascomycetes. Following Tansey's technic (1971) the cellulolysis test permitted to select a cellulolytic strain of the ascomycete Lasiobolidium orbicularis. The test conducted in a test tube revealed two types of hydrolyses: A straight way type as with Aspergillus terreus which in 90 days reached a cellulolyse of 50 mm high. A gradual type as with Lasiobolidium orbicularis which reaches 16,5 mm high in 90 days.