Cellulase Enzyme from Aspergillus niger

Cellulase enzyme was produced by a selected strain of Aspergillus niger isolated from deteriorated wood and grown on different carbon sources. Filter paper gave the highest yield, followed by carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Cellobiose as well as glucose gave a low yield, while the yield from lactose was negligible. The concentration of filter paper cellulose that induced the maximum yield of the enzyme was 1%. Both soluble cellulose (CMC) and cotton cellulose treated with phosphoric acid (swollen) were easily hydrolyzed by cellulase; an increase in cellulase concentration lead to more hydrolysis of CMC and gave linearity in the reaction velocity. At certain concentrations of the enzyme, increase in CMC concentration, (up to 1%) resulted in more reducing sugar. Beyond this point no more hydrolysis occur.