Abstract: “The objective of this study was to produce cellulolytic enzyme from paper sludge (PS), a solid waste from pulp and paper manufacturer by Geobacillus kaustophilus strain C1. When PS was used as sole carbon source, cellulolytic enzyme, mainly β-glucosidase was produced by the strain C1 which exhibited good properties, high temperature and high glucose concentration tolerance. Cellulolytic enzyme from strain C1 was afterward applied to hydrolyze ammonia-treated rice straw (ARS) for glucose production. Glucose was produced as a major hydrolysis product. Degree of saccharification of cellulose in ARS to glucose was improved when crude enzyme of strain C1 was combined with commercial Trichoderma reesei cellulase (Celluclast 1.5 L) and revealed 78.1% glucan saccharification. Glucose from ARS can be subsequently used as raw material for production of value-added products in many industries.”

Keywords: Geobacillus kaustophilus, Glucose, βglucosidase, Paper sludge, Rice straw