Production, optimization and evaluation of multicomponent holocellulase produced by Streptomyces sp. ssr-198

• A novel thermotolerant holocellulolytic Streptomyces sp. was isolated from arid sandy soil.
• Statistical optimization of medium undertaken using response surface methodology.
• Optimization resulted in 246%, 83%, and 96% higher yield of endoglucanase, exoglucanase and xylanase.
• Multicomponent holocellulolytic enzyme showed pH and temperature optima of 6.0 and 60 °C.
• Crude enzyme showed promise for saccharification of corncobs.

A novel thermotolerant Streptomyces sp. ssr-198 with capacity to produce multicomponent holocellulolytic enzymes was isolated and identified using 16S rDNA sequencing. Important chemical components of medium were optimized by rotatable central composite design (RCCD) using response surface methodology (RSM) to achieve maximal yield of holocellulolytic (endoglucanase, exoglucanase and xylanase) enzymes. Optimization resulted in 246%, 83%, and 96% higher yield of endoglucanase, exoglucanase and xylanase respectively as compared to unoptimized conditions. The concentrated crude enzymes were partially characterized in terms of optimum pH (6.0) and temperature (60 °C). Multiple endoglucanase and xylanases with diverse molecular weights were detected in the zymogram. The study demonstrated the ability of this newly isolated Streptomyces strain to produce a high titer of holocellulolytic enzymes with potential application in the saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass.