CHARACTERIZATION OF A BOSEA SP. STRAIN SF5 (MTCC 10045) ISOLATED FROM COMPOST SOIL CAPABLE OF PRODUCING CELLULASE

A cellulase producing bacterium, designated SF5 was isolated from compost soil. The strain was identified as Bosea sp. based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and phenotypic characters including detail carbon sources utilization pattern. The effect of various carbohydrates such as Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) avicel, starch, maltose, sucrose, glucose, fructose and lactose (as carbon source) on cellulase production revealed that 0.75% CMC (with 8 days incubation) was optimum. Among the various nitrogen sources, 0.15% NH4Cl gave optimal production of cellulase. The optimal conditions for the production of cellulase by strain SF5 were determined to be at 37 oC temperature and at pH 7.0. The strain is also capable of producing xylanase and may have biotechnological potential.