Cellulase Production and Characterization from Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae

Abstract

Cellulases are one of the important groups of industrial hydrolases which hydrolyze lignocellulosics into glucose, hence find numerous applications in the food, feed and beverage industry, textile, pulp and paper industry and biofuel production. With a view of industrial importance of cellulases, this study aimed to screen the cellulolytic potential of fungus Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae sp. nov. The zone of cellulose hydrolysis producing around the growth of fungus confirmed its cellulase-producing ability. Further, the enzyme production was carried out under liquid fermentation and various culture conditions were optimized. Among the physical conditions, maximum enzyme production was obtained at pH 7.0, incubation temperature of 50°C and incubation period of 7 days. Corn cob as carbon source followed by rice straw enhanced the enzyme production. Yeast extract was found to be the best nitrogen source. The crude enzyme exhibited highest enzyme activity at pH 7.0 and temperature 45oC. Among the various additives tested, some metal ions (Na+, K+, Ca+2 and Mg+2) stimulated the enzyme activity while Hg+2 strongly inhibited the enzyme. Among the detergents, SDS had stimulatory effect while Triton X-100 was found inhibitory for cellulase.