Abstract
Novel thermophilic and alkaliphilic bacteria for the processing of bast fibres were isolated using hemp pectin as substrate. The strain PB94A, which showed the highest growth rate (µ = 0.5/h) was identified as Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius (DSM 21625). The strain grew optimally at 60°C and pH 8.5. During growth on citrus pectin, the strain produced pectinolytic lyases, which were excreted into the medium. In contrast to the commercially available pectinase Bioprep 3000 L, the enzymes from G. thermoglucosidasius PB94A converted pectin isolated from hemp fibres. In addition to hemp pectin, the culture supernatant also degraded citrus, sugar beet and apple pectin and polygalacturonic acid. When hemp fibres were incubated with the cell-free fermentation broth of G. thermoglucosidasius PB94A, the fineness of the fibres increased. The strain did not produce any cellulases, which is important in order to avoid damaging the fibres during incubation. Therefore, these bacteria or their enzymes can be used to produce fine high-quality hemp fibres.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung with the project 0312640A and by the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe with the project 22006303. We thank Dr. rer. nat. Holger Fischer and Dr. Jörg Müssig from Faserinstitut Bremen (FIBRE) for the analysis of the fibre fineness.
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Valladares Juárez, A.G., Dreyer, J., Göpel, P.K. et al. Characterisation of a new thermoalkaliphilic bacterium for the production of high-quality hemp fibres, Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius strain PB94A. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 83, 521–527 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-009-1969-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-009-1969-9