Auriculariu polytricha, an edible fungus, was grown in the laboratory and examined for composition and its ability to hydrolyze cellulose and hemicellulose. On a dry weight basisA. polytricha was highest in protein (7.59%), followed by fiber (3.69%) and lowest in fat (1.12%). Appreciable amounts of calcium and zinc were also present in the fruiting body ofA. polyrricha. The fungus produced substantial amounts of cellulase and hemicellulase. The optimum conditions were pH 4 and 30°C for cellulase, and pH 6 and 60°C for hemicellulase. A. polyrricha also produced an antibacterial substance and inhibited the Gram positive bacteria, Bacillus subtillus, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus luteus, and Staphylococcus nureus, but not Gram negative bacteria, Alcaligenes viscolactis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas fluorescens.