Effect of cultural factors on cellulase activity of Micrococcus luteus-2, Vibrio metschnikovii and Chromobacterium sp.

Three cellulolytic bacteria isolated from Sagar lake were identified as Micrococcus luteus-2 (DG-C7), Vibrio metschnikovii (CG-A1) and Chromobacterium sp. (CG-J4). They were found to produce a complete set of cellulase enzyme complex. Maximum production of exo ß-glucanase, endo ß-glucanase and ß-glucosidase by M. luteus was found on 6, 4 and 8 d respectively at 55°C and pH 8. This showed the thermotolerant nature of the enzyme. Vibrio metschnikovii and Chromobac-terium sp. could produce maximum exo- and endo ß-glucanase enzyme on 6 d and ß-glucosidase on 8 d at 45°C and pH 7. Though CuSO₄ was found to increase the enzyme activity, EDTA, HgCl₂ and NaN₃ inhibited the activity of all three-enzyme complex in all the three bacteria.