Volume :6 , Issue :3 ,Page : 74-96

Abstract :Among the marine organisms, actinomycetes ar e the group of bacteria that are widely distributed. They are known to pl ay a very supporting role in the degradation of organic matter in the production of lignocellulolytic enzymes. In the pres ent study eight actinomycetes strains (SV 7701, SV 7702, SV 7703, SV 7704, SV 7705, SV 7706, SV 7707 and SV 7708) were screened for their potential to produce lignocellulolytic enzymes (cellulase, laccase and peroxidase). The strains were tested for enzyme production by qualita tive plate assays. The strain SV7702 was selected as the maximum producer and selected for optimiz ation, production and characteri zation of cellulase enzyme. The production parameters such as pH, temperature, carbon source, nitr ogen source, incubation period and substrate concentration were optimized to be 5, 45°C, xylose, urea, 6 and 0.8%, respectively. The enzyme thus produced under optimized conditio ns was characterized by SDS-PAGE and Native- PAGE. Thus, the current study produced industri ally important cellulose using the selected actinomycetes strain.