Production, purification and characterization of cellulase from bacteria

Abstract

Microorganisms isolated from soil samples that showed growth on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) agar media were selected for enzyme production by utilizing carbon sources such as CMC, leaves and paper. Biochemical analysis results indicated a possibility of the isolates being Pseudomonas fluorescens biovar and Streptococcus sp. Cellulase produced from the symbiotic effect of the obtained microorganisms was found to be exponentially more potent than the enzymes produced by them separately. The enzyme activity on using CMC as carbon source was noted as 0.55 U/m. The enzyme activity obtained from using leaves and paper as carbon source was slightly less. The enzyme activity of the purified protein was found to show an seven-fold increase. The purified protein showed good activity within a pH range of 2-12, with an optimum ph of 6.5. The enzyme activity was maintained with negligible variation within a temperature range of 4°C to 43°C. High salinity did not affect the efficiency of the enzyme either. The enzyme seems to possess good potential for use in the paper, textile and medicine industry.