Formation and localization of cellulases in Cellulomonas culture on bagasse

Abstract

The cellulolytic enzyme complex was studied during the diauxic growth of Cellulomonas sp.IIbc on alkali-pretreated sugar cane bagasse pith. In the first growth phase only a low cell-bound aryl-β-glucosidase activity was detected. Formation of extracellular and bound (cell-, bagasse-) CM- and FP-cellulases occurred later, i.e. at the beginning and during the second growth phase. The levels of all cellulolytic enzymes, mainly bound ones, increased with the growth of cells. At the end of the linear growth phase almost all bound cellulolytic enzymes, except for cell-bound aryl-β-glucosidase, are released to the medium as an extracellular complex. A considerable level of the intracellular aryl-β-glucosidase activity is still present at the end of the fermentation.