SCREENING OF CELLULASE PRODUCING MICROORGANISMS FROM LAKE AREA CONTAINING WATER HYACINTH FOR ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS OF CELLULOSE

Abstract

Microorganisms are capable to hydrolysis of cellulose, only a few of these produce significant quantities of cell free enzyme capable of completely hydrolyzing crystalline cellulose in-vitro. Fungi are the main cellulase producing microorganisms, through a few bacteria and actinomycetes have also been reported to yield cellulase activity like Trichoderma Sp., Aspergillus Sp., Pseudomonas Sp., Cellulomonas Sp., Bacillus Sp., and Micrococcus Sp. Most of the aquatic systems are infested with fast growing rate and high capacity for survival Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth). Plants (water hyacinth), water and soil collected from Coimbatore lakes and isolated thirty six species of microorganisms have been isolated, which were used for the enzyme (cellulase, xylanase) production. Ten fungi (F), eight bacteria (B), twelve yeasts (Y) and six actinomycetes (A) were used for degradation of cellulose and xylan for bio-fuel production. The cellulose and xylan activity of the organisms was measured diameter of a clear zone around the colony and hydrolytic value on cellulose Congo red agar media. Growth of organisms is very effective at temperature 28 ± 2 ˚C and pH 6.0 ± 0.4 in aerobic condition and 2 to 5 days of the incubation period.