Characterization of an actinomycete isolated from the estuarine finfish, Mugil cephalus Lin. (1758) and its optimization for cellulase production

Abstract

Actinomycetes (35 strains), isolated from the gut of estuarine finfish Mugil cephalus collected from the Vellar estuary, were examined for cellulase activity. Strain CL-30, tentatively identified as Streptomyces actuosus, showed maximum cellulase activity at: pH 7, temperature 35°C, NaCl concentration 1-2%, carbon source sucrose and without addition of any amino acids. Molecular weight of cellulase determined by SDS-PAGE was 110 kDa. The study indicates the scope for the use of S. actuosus as an ideal organism for the industrial production of extracellular cellulase enzyme.