Cellulase Production by Thermomonospora curvata Isolated from Municipal Solid Waste Compost

A cellulolytic, thermophilic actinomycete (previously isolated from municipal refuse compost samples) was identified asThermomonospora curvata. A determination was made of the optimal conditions for cellulase production byT. curvata when grown at 55 C in a medium containing mineral salts, cellulose, and yeast extract. Thep H and temperature optima (p H 6.0 and 65 C) for the cellulase produced byT. curvata were identical to those previously observed for the cellulase extracted from crude compost samples. Such similarities, together with the prevalence ofT. curvata in compost samples and its ability to grow at composting temperatures, indicate that this actinomycete could possibly be considered as a major cellulose decomposer in the municipal refuse composting process.