Cellobiose dehydrogenase production by Sclerotium species pathogenic to plants

AIMS: Evaluation of various Sclerotium spp. as producers of the biotechnologically attractive enzyme cellobiose dehydrogenase. METHODS AND RESULTS: All isolates of S. coffeicola, S. delphinii and S. rolfsii grown in shaken flasks on a cellulose-based medium produced appreciable amounts of the extracellular enzyme cellobiose dehydrogenase. CONCLUSIONS: Cellobiose dehydrogenase seems to play an important role in phytopathogenic Sclerotium spp.; a possible function could be either in the degradation of rigid lignocellulose or as a protective mechanism against toxic quinones. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: S. coffeicola and S. delphinii were identified as potent, not-yet-described producers of cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH). The high levels of intact CDH produced by the different Sclerotium species should make them attractive producers for further studies and applications.