Influence of Culture Conditions on Cellulase Production by Streptomyces Sp. (Strain J2)

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of growth conditions and medium composition on the cellulase enzyme production by Streptomyces sp. Production of cellulase enzyme by a Streptomyces strain (J2) was detected on cellulose agar (CA) medium after 4 days of incubation at 28 °C that exhibited a clear zone of 22 mm around the colony. Cellulase production was assayed by measuring the amount of glucose liberated in μmol/ml/min by using the dinitrosalicylic acid assay method. The highest crude enzyme activity (432 U/l) was observed after 3 days of incubation at pH 7 and 60 °C in a medium that was supplemented with 0.5% glucose, 0.2% starch, and 0.2% NH4CL. However, enzyme production and activity were strongly decreased at 45°C and acidic pH. Enzyme production and activity were also inhibited when Streptomyces strain (J2) was grown in CMC broth supplemented with arabinose and yeast extract as a sole carbon and nitrogen source, respectively.