Isolation and Identification of Cellulase-producing Bacillus in Yak Rumen

To investigate the species of cellulase-producing Bacillus in yak rumen,10 samples of rumen content were aseptically collected from 10 adult Maiwa yaks to isolate the heat-resistant Bacillus by water bath at 80 ℃ for 20 min.The cellulase-producing strains were screened using the CMC-Na medium and Congo red staining.The 16S rRNA gene sequence of those cellulose-producing strains were amplified and sequenced.The results showed that 64 strains were isolated from the 10 samples.Total 23 strains were identified as cellulase-producing bacillus,including 16 strains of Bacillus cereus,7 strains of Bacillus thuringiensis.Furthermore,phylogenetic analysis showed that the 16 Bacillus cereus strains were clustered into two branches:One isolate was clustered into a branch alone,the other 15 isolates were clustered into a branch which clustered into 5 small branches,showing that there was certain genetic diversity in the isolates of Bacillus cereus.And all 7 Bacillus thuringiensis strains were clustered into a branch.Hence,the results layed the foundation of investigating the species of cellulase-producing Bacillus in yak rumen and developing probiotics special for yak.