Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose-Producing Bacteria from Agricultural Wastes

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the isolation, identification and screening of bacteria with high cellulase activity from soil samples. Cellulase degrading bacteria were isolated from soil sample using serial dilution and pour plate method. It indicated that favourable fermentation conditions and the selection of a suitable growth medium played a key role in the production of cellulase from newly isolated Cellulase sp. Due to its particular characteristics this enzyme will be used in saccharification process for bioethanol production from plant biomasses. An accurate and precise method for the assay of cellulase activity in soil was developed. It involves determination of the reducing sugars produced when a soil sample is incubated with acetate buffer, carboxy methyl cellulase (CMC), and toluene.