Lignolytic and hemicellulolytic enzyme cocktail production from Bacillus tequilensis LXM 55 and its application in pulp biobleaching.

Bioprocessing of pulp requires lignolytic as well as hemicellulolytic enzymes. The present study is the first report of a cocktail of laccase (L), xylanase (X), and mannanase (M), from a single bacterium for pulp biobleaching. A novel strain Bacillus tequilensis LXM 55 produced thermo-alkali stable L + X + M. On optimization higher enzyme yield (IUml/fold increase) of laccase (396.35/24.16), xylanase (212.95/81.90) and mannanase (153.33/102.90) were achieved in the cocktail. Treatment of pulp with cocktail of enzymes led to 49.35% reduction in kappa number and considerable enhancement in the brightness (11.59%), whiteness (4.11%), and other pulp properties. Most importantly, no mediator system was required for the application of laccase. 40% less chlorine consumption was required to obtain the paper of the same quality as that of pulp treated without enzyme but with 100% chlorine. Therefore, this cocktail of enzymes is highly suitable for pulp biobleaching in the paper mill.