Abstract

The ability to produce cellulose degrading enzymes by sugarbeet pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. in liquid synthetic media with carboxymethy cellulose (CMC) as inducer was studied. Several cultural conditions were examined to assess their effect in optimizing enzymes production. Shaking cultures gave higher yields of cellulases compared with static ones. Aspargine supplement was the best nitrogen source, especially at 3.0 g/l concentration, in promoting enzyme production. Variation of cellulose/xylan ratio in the culture medium showed that cellulose and xylan induced both cellulases synthesis but cellulose being the most effective specific substrate. The influence of different inhibitors on enzymes production by S. rolfsii was also studied. Cyclohexmide and ethidium bromide inhibited protein synthesis by S. rolfsii. Moreover, glucose repressed cellulase synthesis in S. rolfsii.

Key words: Cellulase, β-glucosidase, inhibitors, Sclerotium rolfsii.