Products of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and its derivatives

Cellobiose and glucose were determined in a mixture of the two carbohydrates by methods involving the use of glucose oxidase and of β-glucosidase.Paper-partition chromatography is used as a confirmatory method in the identification of the hydrolysis products and in the detection of the various constituents.The cellulolytic organisms studied produce large amounts of the enzyme Cx, which diffuses into the medium. Only small amounts of β-glucosidase are found outside the cell. Cellobiose resulting from Cx activity can enter the cells as rapidly as can glucose.The role of cellobiose as a principal product in the hydrolysis of cellulose is confirmed. It is hypothesized that the principal final product of Cx activity is cellobiose, and that the presence of cellobiase in the medium is not a prerequisite to utilization of cellobiose by the organism. This is a correction of the hypothesis previously published stating that glucose appeared to be the final product of Cx activity.