Effect of Agro-industrial Residue Composition on the Production of Endo-1, 4-β-Xylanase by Bacillus pumilus

Background: Bacillus pumilus grows on different substrates and produces Endo-1, 4-β-xylanase (EXase) which degrades the hemicellulose and produces xylooligosaccharides. EXase found applications in paper, pulp and in food industries. The objective of this study is to investigate the compositional effect of lignocellulosic biomass as substrate for the production of EXase by Bacillus pumilus. Methods: The EXase production depends on the composition of substrate (agro-industrial residue), Bacillus pumilus, media composition and performance of fermentation method. Thus, we have evaluated the effect of composition on the production of EXase. The higher content of hemicellulose of substrate indulges EXase production. Moreover, ICP-MS, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD and SEM analyses confirmed that significant alternation of substrate structure by Bacillus pumilus due to the EXase actions. Result: Based on the results of the hydrolytic enzyme activation and characterization studies suggested that Bacillus pumilus produced EXase highest for sugarcane bagasse 1190 U/mg by degrading the sugarcane bagasse as a low-cost carbon sources and effective media composition (Minimal Salt Yeast Extract Nutrient Medium) for nitrogen source, also with the presence of metal ions such as Cu++, Fe++, Mn++ for increased the production of EXase.