Objective: The green plant waste consists of a high amount of lignocellulosic materials offering an intense environment for the growth of cellulolytic bacteria, which have ability to degrade plant biomass as a carbon source. This cellulase produced can be used to break down plant waste into valuable products such as monomeric sugars, biofuels, compost etc. Therefore, the aim of present study was to isolate and identify potent cellulose-degrading bacteria from decomposing plant matter and assessment of their cellulolytic activity. Methods: The cellulolytic bacteria were isolated by serial dilution technique on CMC agar media and six isolates were selected based on their cellulose hydrolysing ability. Based on the biochemical tests such as Oxidase test, Voges-Proskauer test, Methyl red test, Catalase test and sequence analysis of 16s rRNA genes. Results: The isolates were identified as Paenibacillus alvei, Paenibacillus lentimorbus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus nakamurai with percentage identity of 93.77%, 92.80%, 97.71% and 91.94%, respectively, as obtained from NCBI BLAST. Among these Paenibacillus alvei showed the highest cellulase activity. Conclusion: The findings of this study could pave the way for the use of cellulose as an inexpensive energy source for bacteria that are capable of producing valuable products.

Objective: Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) is a highly valued plant which has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. Different parts of the plant were being used for the treatment of illness due to the presence of various secondary metabolites that gives the plant anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and other properties. These secondary metabolites are synthesized by endophytic organisms, which are present inside the tissues of plant. Methods: ITS regions were amplified using a polymerase chain reaction for molecular identification. The sequences were analysed using BLAST n and DNA barcoding of plant was done for the identification of species. The organisms were refined on Potato Dextrose stock for identification of metabolites. Results: It was found that fungi obtained are Aspergillus fumigatus and Tricoderma turrialbense with percentage identity of 96% and 98%, respectively, as obtained from NCBI BLAST; the metabolites were extracted with ethanol extract and Flavonoids and terpenoids are the main phytoconstituents present in endophytic fungi. Conclusion: The results obtained support the medicinal properties of plant, which gets enhanced due to the presence of endophytic fungi present in them.