Stability and recovery ofPenicillium funiculosum cellulase under use conditions

Abstract

The stability ofPenicillium funiculosum cellulase has been investigated under the conditions used for cellulose hydrolysis. Fifty five percent of filter paper activity (FPA) was inactivated on incubation at 50°C for 24 h, whereas there was no loss in endoglucanase and β-glucosidase activity. The addition of 2% polyethylene glycol (PEG) during incubation stabilized the FPA. The influence of pH during fermentation on the thermal stability of the enzyme is discussed. The recovery of enzymes after hydrolysis of bagasse at 50°C was between 8 and 14%. Under the optimal conditions of elution, the recovery of enzyme was 35% (1). Increasing the enzyme to the substrate ratio fivefold and presence of PEG during hydrolysis resulted in 80, 83, and 95% recovery of β-glucosidase, FPA, and endoglucanase activity, respectively. Index Entries: Stability; recovery of cellulase P.funiculosum.