16S RRNA CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLULASE PRODUCING BACILLUS CEREUS PREVALENT IN DECAYING AGRO WASTE

The present study was undertaken to isolate and screen an efficient cellulase producing bacteria from decaying agricultural waste. Bacterial cultures were isolated from agricultural wastes produced in the Bihar region. The preliminary isolation was done on nutrient agar media. The isolates obtained were screened for cellulase production by plating on CMC and Congo red agar media to observe the zone of cellulose hydrolysis. Out of 25 isolates 14 strains showed cellulase production on CMC and congo red agar. Further these isolates were used for crude enzyme production. The carboxy methyl cellulase (CMCase) activity was assayed using a method described by Miller, with some modifications. S18 bacterial isolate which showed maximum enzyme activity (0.420 IU/ml/min) was further subjected to biochemical and molecular characterization. On the basis of molecular characterization, the isolates S18 was identified as Bacillus cereus. Therefore, the cellulase producing Bacillus cereus isolated and identified in this study from Bihar region have potential for further use and study, such as to isolate novel cellulases with unique characteristics. Also the enzymatic degradation of cellulose agrowaste produced in this region has been suggested as a possible alternative for the conversion of lignocelluloses substrate into fermentable sugars.