Effect of nutritional factors on cellulase production by Streptomyces albaduncus from the gut of earthworm, Eisenia foetida

Cellulose degradation and its subsequent utilization is important for global carbon sources. During vermicomposting organic matter undergoes, physico-chemical and bio-chemical changes by the combined effect of earthworm gut flora and also other microbial activities. In the present study the effect of environmental factors on cellulase production by Streptomyces albaduncus was studied. Metal ions tested had shown stimulatory as well as inhibitory effect on cellulase production. It was found that CuSO₄ yielded higher activity in terms of Exo-b-glucanase with 8.9U/ml, Endo-b-glucanase with 9.2U/ml and b-glucosidase with 1.8U/ml.