Sustainable sources of energy are sought because of the finite nature of nonrenewable resources. Renewable energy from the lignocellulosic biomass of the forest ecosystem reduces dependency on nonrenewable resources to overcome the global energy crisis. In this study, we evaluated the physicochemical parameters of, and enzymatic activity in, 25 forest soil samples collected from Thandikudi (Western Ghats) and the Sirumalai Hills (Eastern Ghats) in Tamil Nadu, India. Soil‐sample analysis revealed that two samples obtained from the Western Ghats exhibited low and high lignocellulolytic enzyme activity, respectively, and they were considered for further study. Sample A showed low lignocellulolytic enzyme activity, whereas sample B showed high lignocellulolytic enzyme activity. The variation in the soil enzymes led us to determine the microbial communities in these two soil samples using nanopore sequencing, which targeted the V1–V9 regions of 16S rDNA. The results highlighted the positive correlation between physicochemical properties and soil enzymes. Principal component analysis revealed that, among the soil enzymes, saccharase and β‐glucosidase predominantly influenced lignocellulosic biomass degradation. The nanopore sequencing results showed that, among the microbes present, the percentage of Firmicutes was higher in soil sample B (23.03%) compared with soil sample A (14.90%). Among the bacterial genera, Bacillus was abundant in these two soil samples followed by Pseudomonas, Escherichia, and Klebsiella. The variation in the occurrence of enzymes and the availability of nutrients in the two soil samples had a positive effect on the abundance of these microbial genera. Moreover, the plentiful presence of Bacillus in soil sample B indicates the richness of lignocellulose. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

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Aim: This study aimed to search for novel cellulolytic isolates with high cellulase titre for the production of fuels and chemicals. Methodology: The yeast isolate YES5 isolated from the forest soil was screened for cellulase production. The cellulase activity of YES5 was optimized via RSM. The saccharification potential of YES5 using Napier biomass as substrate was evalauted. Results: The maximum cellulase activity obtained after optimizing pH, temperature, and incubation period was 35.70 U. A reliable statistical model was developed for maximizing the cellulase activity in YES5 Trichosporon asahii. The cellulase activity was 23.87U, when carbon source in CMC medium was replaced by Napier biomass. The maximum saccharification potential of 33.15% was observed on 3rd day. Interpretation: The study of optimizing the media composition of Trichosporon asahii cellulase using Napier biomass, a natural source of carbon for maximizing the cellulase production via RSM, is first of its kind.

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