Measurement of Cellulolytic Potential of Cellulase Producing Bacteria

Abstract

The bioconversion of cellulose and hemicellulose to soluble sugars is important for global stabilization and for a sustainable human society. Here, hundreds of cellulolytic bacteria were found in soil, compost and animal waste slurry of our environment.  Bacillus spp. are aerobic cellulolytic bacteria. Here, two Bacillus strains 2414, 2579 (T) and their mixed culture utilized for measuring the cellulolytic potential. The capability of cellulolytic potential was analyzed by enriching the basal salt media with Whatman no.1 filter paper as a substrate for cellulose degradation. Here, Cellulose-degrading potential of Bacillus strains was measured by measuring the diameter of a clear zone around the colony and its hydrolytic value on cellulose Congo-Red agar media. The extracellular cellulase activities ranged from 0.08233 to 0.44 IU/mL for FPase and 0.243 to 0.595 IU/mL for endoglucanase assay. The maximum activities range of β-glucosidase or cellobiase activity was 0.6 to1.5 1U/ml. The maximum xylanase activities value Bacillus cellulolysticus 2579 (T), Bacillus subtilis 2414 and their mixed culture were 12.0,11.5 and 12.5 unit/mL, respectively. All the enzymes were stable at an optimum pH range value of 3.0-7.0 and temperature range of 30˚C-50˚C. The maximum filter paper degradation percentage was estimated to be 71.76% by mixed culture after 48hrs of incubation period, it was observed that the maximum filter paper degradation was done by mixed culture than Bacillus strains. Biodiesel production was estimated by following the EN-14103 method and ester content was calculated on the basis of response factor with a minimum set value of ester content will be 96.5%.