RESUMO

The paper industry is a composite one constituting different types of mills, processes, and products. The paper industries consume large amounts of resources, like wood and water. These industries also create huge amounts of waste that have to be treated. In our study, 23 endophytic bacteria were isolated from Argemone mexicana, and 16 endophytic bacteria were isolated from Papaver rhoeas. Seventeen and 15 bacterial endophytes from A. mexicana and P. rhoeas, respectively, showed cellulose-degrading activity. The biochemical and molecular characterization were done for endophytic bacteria with cellulolytic activity. The consortium of cellulose-degrading endophytic bacteria from A. mexicana showed endoglucanase activity (0.462 IU/ml) and FPCase enzyme activity (0.269 IU/ml) and from P. rhoeas gave endoglucanase activity (0.439 IU/ml) and FPCase enzyme activity (0.253 IU/ml). Degraded carboxy methylcellulose and filter paper were further treated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and bioethanol was produced. Cellulose-degrading endophytic bacteria were also tested for auxin, siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization activities. Individual cellulose-degrading endophytic bacteria with plant growth-promoting activities were used as biofertilizers, tested for plant growth-promoting activities using Basmati Pusa 1121 rice, and plant growth parameters were recorded. The degraded paper enhances the growth of rice plants. Selected bacterial endophytes and their consortia from A. mexicana and P. rhoeas were powerful cellulose degraders, which can be further employed for ethanol production and as significant biofertilizers in agriculture.