PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A CELLULASE FROM BACILLUS SUBTILIS YJ1

Broth incubated with Bacillus subtilis YJ1 at 37°C for 36 h was collected and removed bacterial cells by passing through a 0.45 µm membrane. A cellulase was purified to electrophoretical homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Macro-Prep ion exchange and Bio-Gel P-100 chromatography. The recovery and purification fold were 9.7% and 289, respectively, after Bio-Gel P-100 chromatograph. The purified cellulase, with a molecular mass (M) of 32.5 kDa, had an optimal pH and temperature at 6.0 and 50-60°C, respectively. It was stable at pH 6.0-7.5 and