Molecular identification of ligninolytic fungi from West Sumatra, Indonesia, using the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region

This study aimed to isolate and identify ligninolytic fungi from decayed wood in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a focus on their potential applications in animal production technology. The goal was to explore the potential of these fungi to improve lignocellulosic agricultural waste degradation, thereby enhancing the digestibility and nutritional value of ruminant feed.

Fungi were isolated from rotting wood samples collected in Padang and Solok. The Bavendamm test was used to screen for ligninolytic activity. DNA was extracted from purified isolates, and PCR amplification of the ITS region was performed using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. Amplified products were sequenced and analyzed using BLAST against the NCBI GenBank database for species identification.

Two of four purified fungal isolates (P1 and S2) showed positive results in the Bavendamm test, indicating their ligninolytic potential. PCR amplification produced 574 bp (P1) fragments and 586 bp (S2). BLAST analysis identified P1 as Trichoderma hamatum and S2 as Aspergillus flavus with 100% similarity.

Identifying T. hamatum and A. flavus as ligninolytic fungi from West Sumatra provides valuable insight for applying these species in animal production technology. These fungi could contribute to biodelignification processes, improving the utilization of lignocellulosic waste as a ruminant feed source.