AbstractSeveral mycelial fungi were screened in liquid medium for their ability to degrade nitrocellulose. Nitrocellulose was tested as the sole source of nitrogen while starch was provided as an additional carbon source. More than 20% nitrocellulose degradation was accomplished with Acremonium persicinum ATCC 60921, Bjerkandera adusta ESF 620, Fusarium solani, IFO 31093, and Sclerotium rolfsii ATCC 24459 in a 3‐day growth period utilizing submerged cultivation. Cyathus stercoreus NRRL 6473 degraded only 8% of the nitrocellulose, while Irpex lacteus Z 212 degraded 24% of the nitrocellulose in a 7‐day growth period. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.