DEGRADATION OF CELLULOSIC SUBSTRATES BY BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM EARTHWORM

A study had been carried out to evaluating degradation ability of cellulosic substrates by bacteria isolated from earthworm. Bacteria were isolated by hungate selective media with Carboxy Methyl Cellulose/CMC as selective substrates. The potency of cellulolytic was identified based on degradation of cellulosic substrates measurement using clear/diffusion zone diameters and cellulase (endoglucanase and exoglucanase) enzyme activities. This study showed that cellulolytic bacteria isolated from earthworm coded EB1CL has produce highest clear/diffusion zone diameters on CMC and rice bran substrates and with highest endoglucanase enzyme activity, while bacteria isolate coded EB8CL has produce highest clear/diffusion zone diameters on avicel and rice straw substrates and with highest exoglucanase enzyme activity. was concluded that bacteria isolates coded EB1CL and EB8CL was potential as cellulosic substrates degrader