Isolation of Coprophilous Fungi (Moist Chamber Method)

Abstract

Dung of herbivores animal contains high content of organic matter and is rich source of metabolically diverse saprophytic microorganisms which hold high potentials for varied applications. Microbiologically dung consists of several microhabitat and thus support growth of different types of microorganisms. Some of the coprophilous (dung loving) fungi are Poroniaerici, Cheilymenia sp., Cyathusstercoreus, Coprinus sp., Panaeolus sp., Psilocybe sp.,Pilobolus sp. etc. They are generally slow growers and show visible growth in 10–15 days. Isolation of coprophilous fungi and studies related to their succession can be done using moist chamber method. Dung being rich source of nutrient act as medium for growth under moist conditions. They are of great importance for ecological research, biodiversity studies and for production of various bioactive compounds such as novel antibiotics, growth stimulators, biopesticides, enzyme.