Thermophlic Cellulase–Producing Bacteria From Yellowstone National Park

Cellulases are a group of hydrolytic enzymes capable of hydrolyzing the most abundant organic polymer on earth – cellulose. These enzymes have enormous potential for commercial use in the food, beverages, textile, detergent and biofuels industries. Microorganisms have the ability to produce cellulases which act on the β-1-4 bonds to break down cellulose to glucose. Thermophilic cellulase-producing bacteria have been isolated from the mushroom springs of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The isolation was carried out by enrichment of the soil samples with cellulose at 65°C for 3 weeks. The primary screening for cellulase was performed on 1% carboxymethyl cellulose agar plates using the congo red test. Selected isolates were studied for cellulase production in liquid fermentations using various nutritional and environmental parameters. The present investigation identifies cellulolytic bacterial cultures producing highly thermostable extracellular cellulases with potential in biofuels production.