Cellulose as a Potential Feedstock for Cellulose Enzyme Production

Cellulose is a rich natural biopolymer on earth, found as a chief component of plant cell wall in lignocellulosic form. Unlike other compounds cellulose is not easily soluble in water; therefore enzymatic conversion of cellulose has become a key technology for biodegradation of lignocellulosic materials. Microorganisms such as aerobic bacteria, fungi, yeast, and actinomycetes produce cellulase that degrades cellulose by hydrolyzing the β-1,4-glycosidic linkages of cellulose (Fig. 6.1). In contrast to aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria lack the ability to effectively penetrate into the cellulosic material which leads to the development of complexed cellulase systems called cellulosome. Microbial cellulases have shown their potential application in various industries including pulp and paper, textile, laundry, biofuel production, food and feed industry, brewing, and agriculture. Due to the complexity of enzyme system and immense industrial potential, cellulases have been a potential candidate for research by both the academic and industrial research groups. Nowadays, significant attentions have been devoted to the current knowledge of cellulase production and the challenges in cellulase research especially in the direction of improving the process economics of various industries.