Extracellular enzyme system utilized by the rot fungus Stereum sanguinolentum for the breakdown of cellulose : I. Studies on the enzyme production

Abstract

The production of cellulolytic enzymes by the rot fungus Stereum sanguinolentum has been studied on different carbon sources. When powdered cellulose or carboxymethyl cellulose was used as the carbon source, high yields of extracellular cellulolytic enzymes were obtained, but there was no production of these enzymes with cellobiose as the carbon source. The heterogeneities in the protein structure of the enzymes were studied by the isoelectric focusing method. A slight increase of heterogeneity in the enzymes was found during the course of cultivation, except for the cellulase, which seemed to be the most stable of the enzymes studied. No proteolytic activity was obtained in the culture solution. The optimal time of cultivation for production of cellulolytic enzymes was found to be 6–7 days.