Isolation and optimization of the fermentation condition of cellulolytic microbial isolates from cassava waste water

The study was conducted to isolate and identify cellulose producing microorganisms from cassava waste water. Cassava waste water sample was obtained from a cassava processing factory at Lokogoma town in Wushishi Local government area of Niger State. The microorganisms were isolated, identified and counted by standard microbiological methods. The mean bacteria count ranges from 6.8 x 103 cfu/mL-1 to 2.1 x 103 cfu/mL-1 while the fungi count ranges from 3.2 x 103 cfu/mL-1 to 1.2 x 103 cfu/mL-1. A total of eight (8) bacterial; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthrax, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsilla sp, Bacillus megaterus, Staph. Epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and six (6) fungi; Saccharomyce serivicea, Aspergillus niger, Penecillium sp., Muccor sp., Aspergilus flavus and Aspergilus fumigetus isolates were identified in the waste water. Among these organism, the best cellulase activity was recorded for Bacillus subtilis (10.39 x 10-4 mg/ml/sec) and Aspergillus niger (11.21 x 10-4 mg/ml/sec). However, maximum activity was obtained at pH ranges from 3 ~ 9, temperature ranges from 30 oC ~ 80oC and substrate concentrations ranges from 1.5% ~3.0%.  In conclusion, cassava processing water regarded as waste water could be an alternative source of microorganisms capable of producing cellulase enzyme for industrial purposes.