XYLANASE from STREPTOMYCES HYGROSCOPICUS under Solid State Fermentation

The objectives of the present study were isolation, identification, and characterization of xylanase producing actinomycetes, optimization of medium composition and cultural conditions for xylanase production, production using cheaper sources and extraction of extra cellular xylanase from a potential strain. Streptomyces hygroscopicus was selected and optimized for xylanase production in solid state fermentation using cheaper sources like wheat bran, rice bran, sugarcane molasses and cellulose paper powder. Maximum enzyme activity was observed in wheat bran (24.66 U/mL). Optimum pH and temperature for xylanase activity were found to be 6.0 and 50 °C. Xylanase was remarkably stable in the pH range (4-10), with more than 60 % activity and it was also stable at 50 °C and retained around 98 % residual enzyme activity up to two hours. The use of wheat bran as a major carbon source is particularly valuable because oat spelt xylan is more expensive. Thus the present study proved that Streptomyces hygroscopicus used is highly potential and useful for industrial production of alkalistable thermostable xylanase using low cost agricultural residues under solid state fermentation.