Effect of phenethyl alcohol and other organic substances on cellulase production

Cellulase can be produced from growth in noncellulosic substrate if the growth rate of the producing organism is restricted. Phenethyl alcohol (PEA) is a growth inhibitor and was used to control the growth of M. verrucaria in attempts to obtain increased cellulase production. Cellulase yield was found to be increased without a restriction in growth rate when PEA was present in low concentrations (0.03% v/v). The effect was observed for other organisms but notably L. trabea, which produced considerable enzyme from a small quantity of mycelium. Here increased cellulase synthesis was concomitant with restricted growth. Other chemicals with PEA-like structure (e.g. benzyl alcohol) resulted in similar or more extensive cellulase synthesis. Of the substances tried, propyl alcohol was most effective, followed by acetone. PEA causes a swelling of cell walls and inhibits spore formation. This and other data given suggest that PEA affects the cytoplasmic membrane or the cell wall or both. Cellulase synthesis is considered to take place in the membrane and wall region of the cell.