As a study on the cellulase of Myriococcum albomyces the culture media for enzyme formation and properties of its crude preparation were investigated and the crude enzyme preparation was further fractionated. The results are summarized as follows:
1. Wheat bran solid culture produced stronger activities of cellulase than rice bran or defatted soy bean meal solid culture.
2. Shaking culture with wheat bran, rice bran or defatted soy bean meal produced higher cellulase activities than solid culture with the corresponding media.
3. The enzyme formation was higher at 45℃ than at 37℃ or 50℃ regardless of the kind of culture medium.
4. The formation of CMCase activity was more promoted by organic nitrogen source than inorganic nitrogen source.
5. The formation of cellulase activities were increased 1.5 to 3.0-fold by adding CMC, Avicel or cellulose powder as an inducer into 5% wheat bran basal medium.
6. Cellulase production using a tank culture procedure with addition of CMC or Avicel as an inducer was the highest at fifth day and thereafter decreased slightly.
7. The crude enzyme preparation showed pH optimum in 4.0 to 4.5, and pH stability in the range of 3.5 to 8.0. Optimum temperature for the activity was 65℃ which was higher than among other cellulases and it was stable at 60℃ for 120 minutes.
8. Dialyzed crude enzyme was activated by Ca^(++) and Mg^(++), but inhibited by Hg^(++), Cu^(++) and Ag^+.
9. Four different types of cellulase, i. e., fraction I, fraction II-a, fraction II-b, and fraction III were purified from the culture filtrate of Myriococcum albomyces through a sequence of ammonium sulfate fractionation, and elution chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25, Amberlite CG-25 type 2 and hydroxyapatite columns.
10. These four cellulase fractions were showed to be homogenous by electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation and also gave a typical ultraviolet absorption spectrum of protein.
11. Four purified fraction showed different specificity toward substrates, fraction I has a stronger activity toward Avicel, cellulose powder, and gauze than that of other cellulase fractions.
Fraction II-a had a powerful activity toward cellobiose but it was almost inactive agaisnt fibrous cellulose contrary to fraction I.
On the contrary, the main component fraction II-b had a fairly higher activity on CMC and Avicel. Activity of fraction II-b toward cellobiose was about one-third of that of fraction II-a and activity on Avicel was lower than that of fraction I.
Fraction III had a more powerful activity in decreasing viscosity of CMC.
12. Final hydrolysis products of fibrous cellulose by each fraction were cellobiose and glucose. Whereas oligosaccharides were predominant in the early stage of hydrolysis, prolonged reaction produced more glucose than cellobiose. Fraction I and fraction II-a acted synergically on Avicel.
13. Optimum pH for the activities of cellulase fraction I, fraction II-a, fraction II-b and fraction III were found to be 5.5, 5.0, 4.0 and 4.0∼4.5, respectively. These fractions were found to be stable in the range of pH 3.0∼7.5.
14. Optimum temperature for the activities of fraction I, fraction II-a, fraction II-b, and fraction III were 50℃, 55℃, 60℃ and 55℃, respectively. No less of activity was found by heating 120 minutes at 55℃ and fraction II-a was more stable than the others at 60℃.
15. Fraction I and fraction II-b were activated by Ca^(++) and Mg^(++) but inhibited by Hg^(++) and Ag^+.
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