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Cellulases are a group of hydrolytic enzymes capable of degrading cellulose to the smaller glucose
units and have a wide range of applications in bioethanol production, textile, drug, detergent, foodfeed
and pulp-paper industry. This study was designed to assess the cellulase production of a
bacterium isolated from wood decompost. Cellulase producing bacteria (CPB) isolate obtained from
wood decompost sample was tentatively characterized on the basis of their morphological and
biochemical characteristics and identified to be Gram negative, cocci, cream pigmented, non-motile;
catalase, methyl red, indole, nitrate, citrate, VP, glucose, lactose, fructose tests were shown to be
positive. The CPB isolate exhibiting maximum zone size on the CMC media was selected. This
isolate was then evaluated for enzyme production, and the crude sample (extracellular) showed
0.818 U/ml specific enzyme activity by DNS method. The protein content of the crude enzyme was
estimated to be 0.62 mg/ml. Cellulase was partially purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation
and the maximum 0.919 U/ml cellulase activity was recorded in the fraction precipitated upon 30-
60% saturation. Comparative analysis of crude enzyme and partially purified enzyme on the CMC
plate, showed that the zone of hydrolysis obtained was found to be 3.4mm and 4.6mm respectively.
Key words: Ammonium sulphate, Assay, Cellulase, Morphology, Purification.