Journal of Environmental Biology

Use of bacterial endospore with longer shelf-life in improved retting of jute

Paper received: 06.02.2018                       Revised received: 28.05.2018                           Re-revised received: 27.06.2018                           Accepted: 13.08.2018

 

 

Authors Info

L. Chattopadhyay, B. Majumdar*,

S.P. Mazumdar, A.R. Saha,

R. Saha and S. Barai   

  

Division of Crop Production,

ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute & Allied Fibres, Barrackpore,                       Kolkata-700 120, India 

 

 

*Corresponding Author Email :

bmajumdar65@gmail.com 

 

 

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the retting of jute (Corchorus olitorius L. and C. capsularis L.) using the endospores of microbial consortium of three strains of Bacillus pumilus with extended shelf-life.     

 

Methodology: Endospore and vegetative cells of Bacillus pumilus were tested for viability by introducing them into different temperature, pH, UV radiation and antibiotics. Laboratory, as well as field-trials of jute retting was performed with 6 and 18-months-old endospores and vegetative cells of Bacillus pumilus with estimation of enzymatic activities for comparison of their retting efficiency.   

 

Results: Endospores of Bacillus pumilus recorded very high colony forming unit (10⁹ to 10⁸ml^-1) compared to their vegetative cells (10⁶ to 10⁴ml^-1) after 6 to 18 months of their preservation. Endospores also showed higher resistance to temperature, pH, UV irradiation and antibiotic than their vegetative forms. High colony forming unit and higher release of pectinolytic and xylanolytic enzymes during retting of jute by endospores resulted in complete of jute retting in 10 days with good quality jute fibre compared to talc based formulation.     Â      

 

Interpretation: It can be concluded from the study that endospores remained highly efficient in rejuvenating higher CFU and quantitatively larger pool of enzymes to accelerate retting of jute after prolonged preservation. Therefore, the endospores of Bacillus pumilus can be used cost effectively in place of their talc based formulation for higher shelf life of the product, faster retting and better fibre quality of jute.

 

Key words: Bacillus pumilus, Carrier based inoculants, Endospore, Jute retting, Shelf-life.

 

 

 

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