Thermophilic cellulase: screening of novel cellulolytic bacteria from Algerian hot springs for CMCase production

Hot spring microbiological studies in underexplored regions like Algeria are important because they contain extremophiles that may yield unique and robust biomolecules. So that, this current study aimed for the screening of enzymatic potentiality through the production of cellulase, in order to identify the diversity of cultivable bacteria isolated from two thermal spas of Hammam Ouled Tebben and the Zdim hot spring, in south of Setif (Algeria). The obtained results showed that cellulolytic activity was prevalent, according to the enzymatic index values. The valuation of the cellulase production on 1% of CMC liquid medium, eight strains were selected for their great activity. Indeed, the physicochemical parameters (NaCl; pH; temperature; PEG6000) that affected enzymatic activity and stability, the bacterial growth and cellulase production were assessed. Then, the majority of strains were found to be thermo-tolerant, neutrophilic, halotolerant, and tolerant to 30% PEG 6000. Withal, the screening of the effects of physicochemical parameters on the activity and stability of the cellulase enzyme allowed to select four strains among the most effective, their CMCase active and stable over a wide pH range, temperature, NaCl and they were slightly affected at 30% PEG6000. The phenotyping and genotyping of the selected bacteria were belonging to Bacillus sp. group. Overall, this work highlighted those Algerian hot springs represents an important reservoir of potentially bacterial producer of cellulase. Obviously, future studies should be addressed to confirm and promise the production potential and industrial and biotechnological applications because of these bacterial strains newly isolated and identified.