Purification and Characterization of Cellulase from Termite Ametermes eveuncifer (Silverstri) Soldiers

Abstract

Cellulase enzyme was purified and characterized from termite soldiers (Ametermes eveuncifer) using 70% ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography. The enzyme isolated had a specific activity of 5.04 U/mg with a percentage yield of 11.7%. The enzyme showed maximum activity at 500C and pH 8. The enzyme was not inhibited by Ba2+ at a concentration of 1mM and Pb2+ at 10 mM concentration but was inhibited by other metal ions at 1 mM and 10 mM concentrations of their salts (NaCl, KCl, MnCl2, and NiCl2),