Isolation and Identification of Pseudomonas sp. CMC-50 Producing Carboxymethyl Cellulase and Characterization of Its Crude Enzyme

A strain that produces a high level of carboxymethyl cellulase was isolated from rotten leaves. The isolated strain was revealed to be gram-negative, oxidase-positive, and catalase-negative. From the electron microscopic features, it was identified as a rod-shaped bacterium with peritrichous flagella and did not form spores. Morphological and biochemical characteristics of the strain were found to be similar to the Pseudomonas species. However, carbon utilization test showed different results. Based on the results, this new strain was identified as Pseudomonas sp. CMC-50. CMCase produced by this strain showed a strong activity in neutral and weak acidic conditions and maximum activity at $50^{\circ}C$.