Characterization of the Cellulase Enzyme Produced by Actinomycetes Isolated from the Mangrove Coastal Areas

Kulkarni C. P.¹ and Maurya C. B.²

¹Department of Chemistry, Kirti M. Doongursee College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Dadar (W), Mumbai - 400028, India.

²Department of Chemistry, G.N. Khalsa College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Matunga (E), Mumbai - 400019, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail: sabhutada13@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/2495

ABSTRACT: Cellulase enzyme plays an important role in converting cellulosic biomass in high value products and therefore finds various applications in a number of industries such as pulp and paper, textile, laundry, biofuel production, food and feed industry, brewing and agriculture. Although there are various sources available for obtaining enzymes of industrial applications such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, microalgae, animals and plants; microorganisms represent the most common source of enzymes because of their broad biochemical diversity, feasibility of mass culture and ease of genetic manipulation. Among the microorganisms, actinomycetes are increasingly becoming an important resource for the production of therapeutic molecules and industrially important enzymes. Considering this, the present investigation was undertaken to isolate a novel actinomycete strain from a sea sediment sample and explore its ability to produce the enzyme cellulase. After morphological and biochemical studies, this actinomycete strain was further characterized using its 16S rRNA gene sequence and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. The activity and stability of the extracted enzyme from this actinomycete was analyzed. Finally, the applications of this extracted enzyme were studied.

KEYWORDS: Actinomycetes; Cellulase; Enzyme applications; Phylogenetic analysis; 16S rRNA; Polymerase Chain Reaction

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