Screening and characterization of cellulolytic molds from empty fruit bunches and soils in palm oil plantation area in Indonesia

OBJECTIVE: This research was aimed to isolate cellulolytic molds in empty fruit bunches of oil palm (EFBOP) and soils from palm oil plantation area and identify their enzyme activities to digest EFBOP. RESULTS: A total of seven molds were successfully isolated and screened for their enzyme activities from EFBOP and the soils. The enzymes from each isolate were produced in submerged culture using Mineral Mandels and 3% of alkali pretreated pollard in triplicates. The results indicated that all of the isolates were able to hydrolyze Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC), Whatmann No. 1 filter paper, and also EFBOP to sugars with reducing ends that reacted to 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS). The CMCase activity of isolate X showed the highest while the lowest was found for isolate MT8. Filter paperase (FPase) activity of isolate X performed the highest wile the lowest were found from isolate MT3 and MT6. The saccharification activity of isolate P showed the highest while MT6 performed the lowest activity SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-021-05668-8.