Cellulolytic activity of thermomonospora fusca I. selection, characterization and determination of optimal growth conditions for maximal production of cellulase enzyme copmlex

ABSTRACT

Thirty one thermophilic, celluloytic actinomycete isolates were selectively isolated from soil, compost, plant-waste biomass and ruminant manure samples, using Kosmachev liquid medium amended with 1% cellulose. Qulitative assessment of celluloytic acitivty was done measuring diameter of the clear zone by the growing bacterial colonies on soild medium containing cellulose. The relatively most active isolates were TA[10], TA[19] and TA[22]; subsequently were characterized and designated as Thermomonospora fusca Optimal growth conditions [time of incubation, temperature and pH] affecting cellulase complex production has been studied. Results showed that, optimal time for maxiarnl enzyme production was [192 216, 144]h. for isolates TA[10] and TA[22] respectively at an optimal temperature of [45°C], and pH values [8,9,9] respectively. Depletion of cellulose as the sole carbon and energy source, and the liberation of reducing sugars, were studied in relation with the cellular growth of the selected isolate TA[19], 810 mg/ml of reducing sugares were accumulated after 216h of incubation, with the concomitant consumption of 82% of cellulose after 240h. of growth