Enhancing Sustainability: Bioprospecting soil bacteria with cellulase production potential for industrial applications

In this study, we investigated the local dump yard soil ecosystem in Khanpur (Kharar), Punjab, India, with the aim of identifying bacterial isolates exhibiting potential cellulase production. The primary screening involved the utilization of the CMC agar plate method and Congo red staining to authenticate and validate cellulase-producing microorganisms. To isolate cellulolytic bacteria, soil samples were added into enrichment liquid media containing 1% (w/v) Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) and incubated at 37°C for 72hours. Following incubation, enriched samples were plated on CMC agar plates. Among the 24 bacterial colonies observed on the CMC agar plates, only two displayed halo zone formation, a characteristic indicative of cellulase production, as confirmed by Congo Red staining. These two bacterial isolates, identified as SD2 and SR3, exhibited positive results for cellulase production. The results demonstrated that isolate SD2 and SR3 exhibited significant enzyme activities of 5.42U/ml and 9.71U/ml, respectively under submerged conditions. Further investigation into the morphological and microscopic features of bacterial isolate SR3 revealed its gram-negative, rod-shaped characteristics. The identification of bacterial isolate SR3 was conducted through a comprehensive analysis of morphological and biochemical tests. This research underscores the significance of bioprospecting soil bacteria as a sustainable approach towards meeting the demands of modern industrial processes.