(716a) Bioprospecting the Cellulases and Xylanases Thermozymes for the Production of Biofuels

Bioprospecting the cellulases and xylanases thermozymes for the production of biofuels

Shuvashish Behera, Richa Arora, Sachin Kumar*

Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Renewable Energy, Jalandhar-Kapurthala Road, Wadala Kalan, Kapurthala, Punjab-144601, India

Abstract

A wide variety of microorganisms are present in the environment, which can be harnessed for the purpose of mankind. The isolation and screening of the efficient enzymes like cellulases and xylanases producing microbes can be helpful to overcome the current challenges in biofuel production. This study focuses on isolation of efficient cellulase and xylanase producing thermophilic bacteria found in different soil samples, which could be used in enzymatic saccharification of biomasses. The bacterial isolates with appreciable hydrolytic zones were isolated from soil sample based on zone of clearance on solid plates. All isolates were studied by cultural morphological characteristics and microscopic examinations. About 17 bacterial strains showed the cellulose and/or xylanase enzyme activity. Some isolates showed individual enzyme activity i.e. either cellulase or xylanase and rest showed the activity for both the enzymes. Four isolates designated NIRE C3, NIRE C16, NIRE U1 and NIRE U2 showed superior cellulase activity with more than 15 mm zone of clearance and two isolates NIRE B7 and NIRE B8 shows highest xylanase activity producing more than 16 mm zone of clearance after 24 h of incubation at 50^oC. These cultures represent excellent candidates for further enzyme production and characterization.

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 1822 255543; fax: +91 1822 255544.

E-mail address: sachin.biotech@gmail.com (S. Kumar)