Growth of Cellulomonas sp. ATCC 21399 on different polysaccharides as sole carbon source Induction of extracellular enzymes

Summary Growth and extracellular enzyme production of Cellulomonas sp. ATCC 21399 on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel), xylan, galactomannan and starch were compared. The bacteria grew poorly on CMC, whereas high cell densities were obtained on the other substrates. Growth on Avicel resulted in extracellular enzyme activities against CMC, Avicel, xylan, galactomannan and amylose. By contrast, growth on xylan, galactomannan and starch induced only the enzymes neccessary for the degradation of the growth substrate. Extracellular proteinase activity could be measured during growth on all substrates but CMC, and the possibility of proteolytic inactivation of some of the unstable enzymes (i.e. Avicelase and amylase) in discussed.