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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1971 August; 22(2): 147-152
Copyright © 1971 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Cellulase Production by Thermomonospora curvata Isolated from Municipal Solid Waste Compost

Department of Microbiology, Weber State College, Ogden, Utah 84403

ABSTRACT

A cellulolytic, thermophilic actinomycete (previously isolated from municipal refuse compost samples) was identified as Thermomonospora curvata. A determination was made of the optimal conditions for cellulase production by T. curvata when grown at 55 C in a medium containing mineral salts, cellulose, and yeast extract. The pH and temperature optima (pH 6.0 and 65 C) for the cellulase produced by T. curvata were identical to those previously observed for the cellulase extracted from crude compost samples. Such similarities, together with the prevalence of T. curvata in compost samples and its ability to grow at composting temperatures, indicate that this actinomycete could possibly be considered as a major cellulose decomposer in the municipal refuse composting process.

¹ Present address: New Zealand Department of Agriculture, Ruakura Soil Research Station, Hamilton, N.Z.