Cellulase-producing Microorganisms from Diverse Ecosystem: A Review

Cellulose is the most abundant organic matter present on the planet. It is made up of glucose molecules which is the ultimate energy currency. Still, cellulose is utilized by most the animals as energy source as they lack necessary enzymes for degradation of the molecule. The animals who are able to utilize cellulose based materials as source of energy are able to do so due to cellulase producing gut microflora. Cellulases are enzymes which are used by certain organisms to breakdown the cellulose. Very small number of organisms are able to produce different types of cellulases which can break the bonds present in cellulose molecules. Only few bacteria, fungi and protozoa have necessary genes for cellulase. It has been found that certain herbivorous insects are also able to synthesize their own cellulase but again this property is very limited in few insect types. The microorganisms who are able to synthesize cellulase are present in soil and water along with certain mammalian and insect guts. In soil and water such microorganisms decompose the dead plant matter containing cellulose and help in maintaining the carbon cycle along with getting energy from the molecule. Apart from ecological activity the cellulases are utilized for various industrial purposes. In the current review we have discussed different types of microorganisms which are able to produce cellulases. The source of such microorganisms are also discussed briefly to place them in the right context.