Sugarcane cellulose utilization by a defined microbial consortium

Microorganisms isolated from diverse environmental sources were initially screened for carboxymethylcellulase activity. Nine strains that grew at elevated temperatures and which presented the highest activity were characterized further. Culture supernatants were assayed for potentiation of the enzymatic activity and, based on these results, consortia of four or nine microorganisms were tested for their capacity to grow on, and degrade a sugarcane leaf substrate. As predicted by the supernatant mixes, both consortia assayed were capable of degrading the cellulosic substrate provided. The group comprising of four strains was as efficient as the mix of all nine strains.