Eight isolates of cellulose-degrading bacteria (CDB) were isolated from four different invertebrates (termite, snail, caterpillar, and bookworm) by enriching the basal culture medium with filter paper as substrate for cellulose degradation. To indicate the cellulase activity of the organisms, diameter of clear zone around the colony and hydrolytic value on cellulose Congo Red agar media were measured. CDB 8 and CDB 10 exhibited the maximum zone of clearance around the colony with diameter of 45 and 50 mm and with the hydrolytic value of 9 and 9.8, respectively. The enzyme assays for two enzymes, filter paper cellulase (FPC), and cellulase (endoglucanase), were examined by methods recommended by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The extracellular cellulase activities ranged from 0.012 to 0.196 IU/mL for FPC and 0.162 to 0.400 IU/mL for endoglucanase assay. All the cultures were also further tested for their capacity to degrade filter paper by gravimetric method. The maximum filter paper degradation percentage was estimated to be 65.7 for CDB 8. Selected bacterial isolates CDB 2, 7, 8, and 10 were co-cultured withSaccharomyces cerevisiaefor simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. Ethanol production was positively tested after five days of incubation with acidified potassium dichromate.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

This article aims to review the present scenario of protein based natural polymer development, which has the ability to stand against synthetic polymer. Demand of natural polymers would increase in future considering their environmental safety aspect. Protein characteristics and their suitability for polymer development are discussed here, along with the polymer reinforcement techniques such as development of blends, chemical block copolymerization, and modification of existing protein material, which are used for the development of biopolymer from protein. The application of protein based polymer product range varies from food and nonfood packaging stuffs to healthcare sectors. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:485–498, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers