Production of Thermostable $\alpha$-Amylase and Cellulase from Cellulomonas sp.

A bacterium, isolated from rabbit's waste and identified as Cellulomonas sp., had cellulase and thermostable $\alpha$-amylase activity when grown on wheat bran. Maximum activity of thermostable $\alpha$-amylase was obtained by adding $3\%$ soluble starch. However, soybean oil (1 ml $1^{-1}$) could increase the production of $\alpha$-amylase and cellulase in 'wheat bran. The $\alpha$-amylase was characterized by making a . demonstration of optimum activity at $90^{\circ}C$ and pH 6- 9, with soluble starch as a substrate. The effect of ions on the activity and the stability of this enzyme were investigated. This strain secreted carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase), cellobiase ($\beta$­glucosidase), and filter paperase (Fpase) during growth on wheat bran. Carboxymethy1cellulase, cellobiase, and Fpase activities had pH optima of 6, 5.5, and 6, respectively. CMCase and cellobiase activities both had an optimum temperature of $50^{\circ}C$, whereas Fpase had an optimum temperature of $45^{\circ}C$.