ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLULASE – PRODUCING ACTINOMYCETES FROM AGRICULTURAL SOILS OF GUJARAT, INDIA: POTENTIAL FOR LIQUID LIGNOCELLULOSIC WASTE DEGRADATION

Actinomycetes are known for their ability to produce various extracellular enzymes, including cellulases, which are vital for the degradation of agricultural waste. However, their cellulase production potential has not been extensively studied in soils from Gujarat, India. This study aims to isolate and characterize cellulase-producing actinomycetes from agricultural soils in Gujarat, India, to assess their enzyme production potential. A total of 97 actinomycete strains were isolated from different regions, and their cellulase activity was evaluated using enzyme assays. Total 89 showed significant cellulase activity. Molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed Pseudonocardia carboxydivorans AA4, Streptomyces griseorubens AA62, and Streptomyces violaceorectus AA74 as the most efficient cellulase producers, with maximum activity reported at 3.22 ± 0.03 U/mL, 3.14 ± 0.02 and 3.06 ± 0.02 U/mL respectively. The cellulase-producing actinomycetes identified in this study could serve as efficient biological agents for the degradation of lignocellulosic waste, with potential applications in sustainable waste management and bioresource utilization.