Production of cellulases and hemicellulases by an anaerobic mixed culture from lignocellulosic biomass.

A comparison of different habitats, biogas plant, rumen fluid and sewage sludge, for cellulolytic organisms indicated sewage studge was the best source. Enrichment cultura gave a mixed culture which exhibited CMCase activity as well as extracellular Avicelase, xylanase, β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase activities and cell-bound β-glucosidase, and β-xylosidase production in a synthetic medium with eleven different cellulosic and lignocellulosic substrates. The activity of extracellular β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase production was significantly higher than endogenous activities. Hemicellulases were induced better than cellulases. The anzyme system was stable under aerobic conditions. Of the different lignocellulosic substrates, kallar grass was the best inducer of extracellular enzymes.