The production of cellulose degrading enzymes by cultivation of fourteen fungal strains which isolated from agricultural soils has been studied. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and wheat straw (WS) were used as carbon source individually. Statistical analysis among strains showed substantial variation in released sugars, but no substantial variation in released proteins. The Trichoderma reesei S542 gave the highest cellulase activity in CMC and WS media. Rhizoctonia solani (AG-1) showed lowest amount of released sugar while Penicillium citreonigrum had the highest protein production. The best pH and temperature for enzyme activity on T. reesei S542 were 4.5-4 and 55 �?¢�?�??�?¦C in CMC and WS media respectively. Glucose was detected as a degradation product by thin layer chromatography. Electrophoresis of the crude enzymes of T. reesei S542 revealed one major protein having a molecular mass 50 KDa on both of media.
