Isolation and Identification of Cellulose Degrading Bacteria from Municipal Waste and Their Screening for Potential Antimicrobial Activity

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a rich source of lingo-cellulosic materials thus providing an intense environment for the growth of cellulolytic bacteria. The present study was conducted to isolate and identify cellulose degrading bacteria from MSW dumped in different localities of Peshawar and its vicinity and their screening for potential antimicrobial activity. The cellulolytic bacteria were screened out and isolated from the collected samples by serial dilution method on modified Czapeck (CMC) agar medium and subsequent Congo red assay. The total 108 isolates obtained were further analyzed for cellulose degrading activity qualitatively through Congo red assay. Out of 108 isolates, only 15 isolates were selected on the basis of cellulose hydrolyzing activity (zone ratio 2.5 and above). The antimicrobial activity of these isolates was also determined against different bacterial and fungal human pathogens. These isolates were identified on the basis of standard biochemical tests in Bergey's manual. Among the 15 isolates one belonged to Pseudomonas spp., one to Aeromonas spp., one to Pasteurella spp., two belonged to Staphylococcus spp. and ten to Bacillus genus. Among them, Bacillus spp. SD F has shown a remarkable ability of cellulose hydrolysis in terms of both Congo red assay by giving a zone ratio of 3.4 and enzyme activity of 0.2514 IUmL . The isolates showed antibacterial 1