A metagenomic approach for the identification and cloning of an endoglucanase from rice straw compost.

Over the years, culturable cellulase-producing microorganisms have been isolated from a variety of sources and genes of cellulolytic enzymes have been cloned. Then again, the "great plate count anomaly" phenomenon necessitates a culture-independent metagenomic approach for the isolation of cellulolytic genes from microorganisms in their natural environment. We have constructed a metagenomic library derived from rice straw composts.

A novel endo-glucanase from the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus sp. 70PC53 with high activity and stability over a broad range of temperatures.

A thermophilic Geobacillus bacterium secreting high activity of endo-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.