Production and characterization of cellulase from E. coli EgRK2 recombinant based oil palm empty fruit bunch

Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) is an abundant biomass resource in Indonesia, which contains 41.3 ~ 46.5% (w/w) of cellulose. This research examined the production of cellulase by the E. coli EgRK2 recombinant strain using an OPEFB substrate. The production of the enzyme was initially examined to identify optimum growth conditions, by observing the growth and activity of E. coli EgRK2 compared to its wild type. Our results showed that the optimum production time, pH and temperature of the recombinant growth and cellulase activity were achieved at 24 h, and at 7 and 40°C, respectively. Using these optimum conditions, the enzyme was produced, and experiments were carried out to examine the enzyme characteristics, produced from both strains, on hydrolysis of cellulose from OPEFB. Our results showed that the activity of the enzyme produced by the recombinant almost doubled compared to that of the wild type, although the optimum pH for both strains was pH 6. Higher activity was achieved by the recombinant compared to the wild type strain, and values were 1.905 and 1.366 U/mL, respectively. The optimum temperature for hydrolysis by cellulase occurred at 50°C for Bacillus sp. RK2, and 60°C for Bacillus sp. EgRK2. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vmax) for OPEFB degradation by E. coli EgRK2 were 0.26% and 1.750 μmol/mL/sec, which were significantly better values than those of the wild type. Control experiments for the degradation test using CMC also showed a better Vmax value for E. coli EgRK2 compared to the wild type, which is 2.543 and 1.605 μmol/mL/sec, respectively.