Abstract

The production of solid debris is a major global issue and continues to become worse. However, cellulase is a hydrolytic enzyme capable of breaking down cellulose, a significant part of these solid wastes. The purpose of this study was to examine the partial physicochemical characteristics of animal-derived, partially purified cellulase and its effectiveness in the hydrolysis of various solid wastes. Dialyzed cellulases obtained from ammonium sulphate precipitated crude enzymes isolated from Orcytes rhinoceros larva, soldier termite Ametermes eveuncifer (Silverstri), and guts and haemolymph of Archachatina marginata and Limicolera flammea were used for determining physicochemical properties of the enzymes. Then, the ability of the purified partially cellulases to hydrolyze various source of lignocellulosic wastes was examined. The partially purified enzyme exhibited optimum activity between 50-80℃ and pH 4-9 with Km and Vmax between 2.25-5.2mM and 0.05-0.075µmol/min respectively. In all the different wastes category investigated for cellulase hydrolytic efficiency, Limicolera flammea heamolymph cellulase showed maximum hydrolytic efficiency followed by Ametermes eveuncifer (Silverstri), and then Oryctes rhinoceros larva. Others also displayed significant hydrolytic efficiency. Cellulase obtained from insects and snails have shown exceptional physicochemical properties and ability to convert cellulose-containing wastes into usable product such as biofuel.

Key words: Cellulase, physicochemical properties, Insects and snails, Waste Valorisation and Management.