Biochemical characterization and Biolog based identification of efficient Jute retting bacterial isolates from retting water

Abstract

Jute is considered as one of the cheapest natural fibers after cotton in terms of its production and uses. Retting is the most important post-harvest operation to yield high-quality jute fiber and is solely carried out by various types of retting microorganisms. The present study was undertaken to screen and characterize the efficient retting microbes isolated from retting water based on their enzymatic activity followed by biolog based identification of those efficient microbes. These isolates were characterized on the basis of qualitative and quantitative estimation of Pectinolytic, Xylanase, and Cellulase activity. Out of 40 isolated strains only 3 were finally identified as efficient jute retting microorganism having high Pectinolytic and Xylanase activity coupled with less Cellulase activity. These identified three microorganisms may provide a suitable means to develop a new retting technique, especially under water stress condition.

Improved microbial retting and quality jute (Corchorus spp.) fibre production in India – A review

“…Out of 40 pectinolytic bacterial isolates from retting water samples tested for their polygalacturonase, pectin lyase, xylanase and cellulase enzymatic activities, only 3 isolates were found to have very high pectinolytic and xylanase activity with very less cellulase activity. Out of these three strains two were identified as different strains of Bacillus pumilus and another strain as Bacillus licheniformis by using Biolog microbial identification system (Ray et al 2015).…”