Rice straw was fermented with Cellulomonas sp. and Alcaligenes faecalis. Microbial cells and undigested residue, as well as chemically treated (NaOH or NH4OH) and untreated straws, were analyzed for nutrient composition and in vitro digestibility. In a typical fermentation, 75% of the rice straw substrate was digested, and 18.6% of the total substrate weight that disappeared was recovered as mi...

Recent analyses of genome sequences belonging to cellulolytic bacteria have revealed many genes potentially coding for cellulosic biomass degradation enzymes. Annotation of these genes however, is based on few biochemically characterised examples. Here we present a simple strategy based on BioBricks for the rapid screening of candidate genes expressed in Escherichia coli. As proof of principle ...

AIMS The cell-surface display of Cex, which encodes xylanase and exoglucanase from Cellulomonas fimi, was constructed on Escherichia coli using PgsA as the anchor protein. Characterization of the cell-surface display of Cex was performed. METHODS AND RESULTS PgsA was fused to the N-terminus of Cex and six histidines were utilized as spacers between the targeting and anchor proteins. Successfu...

Rice straw, amended with poultry manure or urea was composted with a co-inoculum of fungi and bacteria in perforated cemented pits. Microbial activity in terms of FDA hydrolysis, alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase was measured at monthly intervals. Microbial activity was highest at 2 month. Carbon content was lowest at 3 month while nitrogen was higher at 3 month. pH and electrical conducti...