IIT Madras Researchers Identify Bacterium That Can Convert Agricultural Waste Into Value-Added Products Such As Enzymes

The researchers at IIT Madras analysed how a bacterium called 'Bacillus sp PM06' can help produce industrial enzymes and other value-added products from agricultural waste.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras have identified a bacterium that can convert agricultural waste into value-added products such as industrial enzymes. The conversion takes place through a cost-effective and environment-friendly process. 

Industries dealing with textiles, paper, detergents, and pharmaceuticals require enzymes such as alpha-amylase and cellulase. The researchers at IIT Madras analysed how a bacterium called 'Bacillus sp PM06' can help produce industrial enzymes and other value-added products from agricultural waste.

The findings of the study were recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 

Significance Of The Study

In a statement released by IIT Madras, Professor Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, one of the researchers involved in the study, said the organism they isolated has a fermentation capacity to hydrolyse very low-cost lignocellulosic waste without pre-treatment. This reduces the cost of the bioprocess for the production of enzymes and industrial metabolites. 

Gummadi added that the most challenging aspect of bioconversion is the development of a one-step process which includes pre-treatment, enzyme hydrolysis and microbial fermentation. This minimises environmental impact. 

He said that many researchers are focused on isolating a single microorganism producing multiple enzymes to solve the issues. However, the IIT Madras researchers are successful in isolating a novel strain from sugarcane press mud, which is the compressed sugar industry waste produced during the filtration of cane juice. 

What Are The Unique Aspects Of The Research?

The unique aspects of the research include the fact that the study demonstrated simultaneous saccharification (process by which complex carbohydrates such as starch or cellulose are broken down into ethanol) and fermentation of different agricultural residues using a single novel organism.

The authors noted in the study that the research is unique because it takes a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, and produces renewable biofuels. 

Moreover, the study is important because it works on the principles of biomass-based refineries, offering potential benefits for energy and environmental sustainability.

Nearly 100 to 159 tonnes of biomass are produced every year. Now, the interest to produce industrial enzymes using agricultural waste, and utilising second-generation ethanol as an alternative fuel source has peaked worldwide.

Three Main Agricultural Residues

The three main agricultural residues used as part of the research are wheat bran, sago waste and rice bran. Though the residues are inexpensive and have a high potential to produce industrial enzymes, the complex structure of the wastes makes it difficult to hydrolyse the enzymes, as a result of which the pre-treatment process required to do the same is costly.

Therefore, the IIT Madras researchers isolated the bacterium Bacillus sp PM06 from sugarcane waste press mud, studied it, and observed that the bacterium helped in the production of industrial enzymes and other value-added products from agricultural waste.

Wheat barn was found to be the most effective substrate, followed by sago waste and rice bran, the study said. Most importantly, the process was cost-effective and environment-friendly.