Microbial Cellulases: An Overview and Applications

Abstract

Cellulases are a complex group of enzymes which are secreted by a broad range of microorganisms including fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes. In the natural environment, synergistic interactions among cellulolytic microorganisms play an important role in the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic polymer materials. In fact, it is the combined action of three major enzymes which determines the efficiency of this process. They are exoglucanases, endoglucanases, and β-glucosidase. Microorganisms produce these enzymes in a diverse nature which determines their efficiency in cellulose hydrolysis. During the cellulose degradation reaction, the enzyme targets the β-1,4-linkages in its polymeric structure. This is an essential ecological process as it recycles cellulose in the biosphere. The application of this same scenario for industrial purposes is identified as an emerging area of research. Biofuel production, textile polishing and finishing, paper and pulp industry, and lifestyle agriculture are among the key areas where cellulase enzyme shows a broader potential. The objective of this chapter is to discuss the structure, function, possible applications, as well as novel biotechnological trends of cellulase enzymes. Furthermore, possible low-cost, enzymatic pretreatment methods of lignocellulosic material in order to use it as an efficient raw material for biofuel production will be discussed.

Cultivation of Mushrooms and Their Lignocellulolytic Enzyme Production Through the Utilization of Agro-Industrial Waste

“…Cellulase is widely used in the textile and laundry detergent industries as it can play a part in the hydrolysis of cellulose and improve fabric properties for the textile industry and for cleaning textiles in the laundry detergent industry [154,280]. The food and beverage processing industries have used cellulase for the hydrolysis of cellulose during the drying of coffee beans and for the extraction of fruits and vegetables in juice production [281,282]. Cellulase, α-l-arabinofuranosidases and other glycosidases have also been used in brewery and wine production [213,277].…”

Comparative metagenomic discovery of the dynamic cellulose-degrading process from a synergistic cellulolytic microbiota

“…Achromobacter Previous studies have shown that natural cellulolytic strains degrade cellulose synergistically together with other microorganisms that utilize hydrolysates (such as glucose and cellobiose) as carbon and energy sources [2,10]. Furthermore, there might be a "jungle rule" in micro-ecosystems due to competition for carbon sources in the process of cellulose degradation, resulting in the shift of relative abundance among species [15].…”

Cold-Active Microbial Cellulase: Novel Approach to Understand Mechanism and Its Applications in Food and Beverages Industry

“…The major industrial applications of cellulases are as an additive in detergents, in food industry, textile industry, pulp and paper industry as well as in agriculture industry for controlling plant pathogens. The details of cellulase applications in various industries are presented in table 1 (Behera et al 2017;Jayasekara and Ratnayake 2019). In food industry, cellulase is widely used in the coffee processing and wine making due to its cellulolytic activity (Anoop Kumar et al 2018;Jayasekara and Ratnayake 2019).…”

“…The details of cellulase applications in various industries are presented in table 1 (Behera et al 2017;Jayasekara and Ratnayake 2019). In food industry, cellulase is widely used in the coffee processing and wine making due to its cellulolytic activity (Anoop Kumar et al 2018;Jayasekara and Ratnayake 2019). Cellulase degrades the skin of the grape and along with it removes tannins and the unpleasant aroma (Claus and Mojsov, 2018).…”