Cellulolytic activities of fungi destroying ancient books

Fungi isolated from destroyed ancient books were found to produce active cellulolytic enzymes on various cellulosic substrates. The activity of enzymes from different fungi depended on time of growth and temperature and was independent of growth rate. The isolated fungi degraded cellulose faster at 15 degrees C than at 28 degrees C. The different cellulolytic activities of the fungi may reflect their varied roles in the decomposition of ancient paper.