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The effect of temperature on growth and cellulase (β-1,4-endoglucanase) production in the compost fungusChaetomium thermophile var.dissitum

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Abstract

Chaetomium thermophile var.dissitum, isolated from an experimental urban refuse compost, had the following growth characteristics: Minimum temperature, 27±1°C; optimum, 45–50°C; maximum, 57±1°C; pH optimum 5.5–6.0.

A number of carbohydrates could be used for growth, but cellulase formation measured with carboxymethylcellulose as substrate was initiated only on cellulose or xylan. With cellulose as the carbon source, cellulase accumulation in the culture filtrate followed closely that of growth, when the temperature was varied. pH optimum for the cellulase system was 5.0.

The optimum temperature for cellulase activity with carboxymethylcellulose as substrate varied between 77°C with 1/2 h incubation time and 58°C with 10 h incubation time.

With cotton as substrate, the optimum temperature was 58°C regardless of incubation time. Carboxymethylcellulose had a higher stabilizing effect on the enzyme than cotton. The temperature stability of the cellulase was highest at pH 6.0.

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Eriksen, J., Goksöyr, J. The effect of temperature on growth and cellulase (β-1,4-endoglucanase) production in the compost fungusChaetomium thermophile var.dissitum . Arch. Microbiol. 110, 233–238 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690232

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690232

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