17 F. X. Zhu Y. L. Yao H. Z. Wei C. L. Hong L. F. Ping Z. Y. Xue X. Y. Chen Y. K. Yang W. P. Wang Z Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JAPS 20152015/06/01 25 3 46-54 1018-7081 NA <p>The aim of this study was to screen cellulose-decomposer microorganisms and to study the effects of dehydration in simulated composting. Cellulose-decomposer microorganisms were first isolated from fresh cow dung and cow dung natural compost in different stages by the cellulose-Congo Red medium. The obtained strains were further screened for a high ability to decompose cellulose by detecting the cellulose-enzyme activity and by observing the disintegration of filter paper and straw. A strong cellulose-decomposer microorganism was finally obtained and was identified as Penicillium oxalicum F12. The following aspects were experimentally determined to be the optimal conditions: a wheat bran and microcrystalline cellulose mix (4:1) as the carbon source, ammonium sulfate as the nitrogen source, pH of 5~6, 5% inoculum size, incubation at 30~35&ordm;C for 120h. Under these conditions, the CMCase of strain F12 was 47.50 IU&middot;mL- 1, and the FPA was 11.10 IU&middot;mL-1. In a dehydration test of simulated composting, the water content of the inoculated processing residue material was decreased by 3.9% as compared with that of the control residue materials. The dehydration volume was 47.6g, which accounted for 19.8% of the initial material moisture content. Penicillium oxalicum F12 was a strong cellulose-decomposer microorganism with broad development potential.</p> cellulose-decomposer microorganism; Penicillium oxalicum; simulated composting Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2015-JAPS-308