Studies on cellulase of the cotton wilt pathogen fusarium vasinfectum ATK

Cellulase of the cotton wilt pathogenFusarium vasinfectum was partially purified 19fold. The enzyme preparation had three pH optima at 5.4, 6.0 and between 8.0 and 8.4 and optimum temperature between 35 and 40°C. Irreversible denaturation of the enzyme resulted in 5 min below pH 1.5 and above 70°C. Thiol group inhibitors and EDTA inhibited the cellulase activity completely whereas reducing agents and metal ions Fe⁺⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and Cu⁺⁺ activated. The results are discussed in elation to pathogenicity towards the cotton plant.This research has been financed in part by a grant made by the United States Department of Agriculture, under P.L. 480.