Xylan degrading bacterial strain was isolated from soil and identified as Geobacillus stearothermophilus
KIBGE-IB29 on the basis of morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA
sequence analysis. Optimization of medium and culture conditions in submerged
fermentation was investigated for maximum endo-1, 4-b-xylanase production. High yield
of xylan degrading endo-1, 4-b-xylanase was achieved at 60 C and pH-6.0 with 24 h of
fermentation. Maximum enzyme was produced using 0.5% xylan as a carbon source, 0.5%
peptone, 0.2% yeast extract and 0.1% meat extract as nitrogen sources. Di-potassium
hydrogen phosphate (0.25%), calcium chloride (0.01%), potassium hydrogen phosphate
(0.05%) and ammonium sulfate (0.05%) were also incorporated in the fermentation medium
to enhance the enzyme production.