Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology

Cellulases are enzymes acts on plant cell wall material and are also synthesized by microorganisms during their growth on cellulosic materials. The cellulase enzymes have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their great biotechnological and industrial applications. In the present study, soil bacteria were isolated and screened for cellulose degrading activity. They are further analysed to produce cellulase enzyme from corn waste. The enzyme production was optimized under various conditions such as pH, temperature, substrate and inoculum concentration. Total of 50 bacterial strains, only 12 strains were selected and when comparing 12 cellulolytic bacteria, Pseudomonas sp. showed highest zone formation with increased enzyme production by using corn waste as substrate. The different parameters effect on cellulase production were evaluated and optimized. Thus, the present study confirms that the corn waste can be used as an alternative carbon source for production of cellulase at high yield.