African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (3), pp. 251-255, March 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of cultural conditions on xylanase production by Streptomyces sp. (strain Ib 24D) and its potential to utilize tomato pomace

Rifaat Rawashdeh, Ismail Saadoun* and Amjad Mahasneh

*Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid-22110, Jordan.

*Corresponding author.  E-mail: isaadoun@just.edu.jo. Fax: 962-2-7095014.

Accepted 17 February, 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of some cultural conditions on the xylanase enzyme production by Streptomyces sp. (strain Ib 24D) and to investigate its potential to produce xylanase utilizing tomato pomace as a substrate. Xylanase activity was detected using the dinitrosalicylic acid assay method. The crude enzyme was maximally active at pH 6.5 and 60°C. The maximal enzyme production was obtained when oat spelt xylan was used as a carbon source. When tomato pomace was used as carbon and nitrogen source, the maximal xylanase production was 1447 U/ml. SDS-PAGE and zymogram analysis revealed one band of 58 kDa with xylanolytic activity. The Streptomyces sp. (strain Ib 24D) was able to produce a considerable amount of xylanase with high levels of activity at a broad ranges of pH and temperature, in addition to its ability to utilize tomato pomace as a carbon and a nitrogen source.

Key words: Agricultural wastes, biodegradation, Streptomyces sp., xylanase.