Abstract:
GiamSiak Kecil-Bukit Batu (GSKBB) Biosphere Reserve in Riau Province, Indonesia, has a
unique tropical peat swamp forest with peat depth reaching up to 20 meters deep. As a tropical
peat swamp forest it is a potential source for carbolytic enzyme producing microbes. In this paper
we present our exploration at two different sites of the GSKBB Biosphere Reserve forest,
representing primary and secondary forest, for carbolytic fungi. Although the isolation media was
design for the specific isolation of Trichoderma, we isolated carbolytic enzyme producers from the
genus Trichoderma, PenicilliumandAspergillus. From the primary forest, a total of four cellulase
and two chitinase producing fungi were isolated to purity. From the secondary forest, a total of two
cellulase and one chitinase producing fungi were isolated to purity. Highest specific activity of
cellulase was produced by a Penicillium secondary forest isolate. Highest specific activity of
chitinase was produced by an Aspergillus primary forest isolate, with a total chitinase crude extract
specific activity of 0.04 U/mg at 40oC, pH 5.5.
