Screening for bacilli producing cellulolytic enzymes active in the neutral pH range

S. LANDAUD, P. PIQUEREL AND J. POURQUIÉ. 1995. More than 50 soil samples of various geographical origins have been screened for aerobic sporeformer bacteria displaying cellulolytic activity in the neutral pH range. Six independent clones were selected, which utilize and hydrolyse amorphous cellulose when grown at pH 8 on agarsolidified media. These clones belong to different species of the Bacillus genus. Their hydrolytic potential is not restricted to cellulose but extends to a range of polysaccharides. When grown in liquid cultures, two clones were shown to produce extracellular cellulolytic enzymes active in the pH 6–8 range.