Optimized production and characterization of a thermostable cellulase from Streptomyces thermodiastaticus strain

A high cellulase-producing bacterial isolate TS4 was recovered from an Egyptian soil sample and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Streptomyces thermodiastaticus. One-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) preliminary studies were carried out to determine the key factors affecting cellulase production by S. thermodiastaticus and their optimum ranges. The initial pH of the medium, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), tryptone, and NaCl concentrations were further optimized using a response surface Central Composite design. Fermentation under optimized variables of initial pH 6.0, presence of CMC, tryptone, and NaCl at concentrations of 2%, 0.03%, and 0.12%, respectively, resulted in 3.24 fold increase in cellulase productivity (2023 U/L) as compared to that under basal conditions (625 U/L). Cellulase production was also improved with a 4 Kilogray (KGy) dosage of gamma radiation. In comparison to the wild-type strain under basal circumstances, S. thermodiastaticus produced 5.1 fold more cellulase after a combination of model-based optimization and gamma radiation mutation. Cellulase was partially purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by dialysis. The resulting cellulase was 1.74 times purified and its specific activity was 4.21 U/mg. The molecular weight of cellulase is 63 kDa as indicated by SDS-PAGE and zymogram. Its maximum activity was achieved at 60 °C and pH 5.0. In addition, it showed outstanding thermo-tolerance as it could retain its full activity after a 12-h incubation at 90 °C.