This paper reports the production of cellulase by thermophilic Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 using sugarcane
bagasse and corn steep liquor as substrates. Some biochemical properties of the enzyme were also assessed for
the purposes of exploiting its potential in the detergent industry, as well as other suitable applications.
Results: Bacillus sp. produced cellulases when cultivated at 50°C in liquid cultures containing sugarcane bagasse
and corn steep liquor. Maximum avicelase (0.83 U mL-1) and CMCase (0.29 U mL-1) activities were reached in
120 h and 168 h of culturing time, respectively. The avicelase and CMCase presented an optimum activity at
pH of 7.5 and 8.0, respectively. The maximum stability of avicelase and CMCase was observed at a pH range
between 6.5–8.0 and 7.0–9.0 respectively, where they retained more than 70% of their maximum activities
after incubation at room temperature for 3 h