Isolation and characterization of cellulase producing bacteria from forest, cow dung, Dashen brewery and agro-industrial waste

by Mulugeta Samuel Demissie, Negash Hailu Legesse, Aderajew Adgo Tesema

The continuous accumulation of waste, particularly from industries, often ends up in landfills. However, this waste can be transformed into a valuable resource through innovative methods. This process not only reduces environmental pollution but also generates additional useful products. This study aims to screen novel high-efficiency cellulose-degrading bacteria from cow dung, forest soil, brewery waste, and agro-industrial waste in the Debre Berhan area for the treatment of cellulose-rich agricultural waste. The serial dilution and pour plate method was used to screen for cellulolytic bacteria and further characterized using morphological and biochemical methods. From eleven isolates cow dung 1 (CD1), cow dung 6 (CD6) and cow dung (CD3) which produced the largest cellulolytic index (3.1, 2.9 and 2.87) were selected. Samples from forest soil, and spent grain didn’t form a zone of clearance, and effluent treatment and industrial waste (IW9) shows the smallest cellulolytic index. Three potential isolates were then tested for cellulolytic activity, with cow dung 1 (CD1) displaying promising cellulase activity. These bacterial isolates were then identified as Bacillus species, which were isolated from cow dung 1 (CD1) with maximum cellulase production. Cow dung waste is a rich source of cellulase-producing bacteria, which can be valuable and innovative enzymes for converting lignocellulosic waste.