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Novel cellulases from an extremophilic filamentous fungi Penicillium citrinum: production and characterization

  • Original Paper
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Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology

Abstract

The enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose has potential economical and environment-friendly applications. Therefore, discovery of new extremophilic cellulases is essential to meet the requirements of industry. Penicillium citrinum (MTCC 6489) that was previously isolated from soil in our laboratory, produced alkali tolerant and thermostable cellulases. Endoglucanase and filter paper activity hydrolase (FPAse) production of P. citrinum were studied using wheat bran substrate in solid state and submerged culture. Zymogram analysis of endoglucanase revealed the presence of two isoforms differing in molecular weight. One of them was 90 kDa and other one was 38 kDa. Partially purified endoglucanase showed two different peaks at pH 5.5 and 8.0, respectively, in its pH optima curve. But FPase showed only one peak (at pH 6.5) in its pH optima curve. Cellulase of P. citrinum is thermostable in nature. The present work reports for the first time, the alkali stable cellulase from alkali tolerant fungus Penicillium citrinum. Thermostable endoglucanase from P. citrinum may have potential effectiveness as additives to laundry detergents.

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Abbreviations

CMC:

Carboxymethyl cellulose

DNS:

Dinitrosalicylic acid

FPA:

Filter paper activity hydrolase

PDA:

Potato dextrose agar

SDS-PAGE:

Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

DTT:

Dithiothreitol

FPA:

Filter paper activity

EDTA:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

SSF:

Solid substrate fermentation

SSC:

Solid substrate culture

SF:

Submerged fermentation

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Acknowledgments

The authors like to thank the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India, for funding this research project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University College of Science, Calcutta University, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700 019, West Bengal, India

    Tanmay Dutta, Rupam Sahoo, Rajib Sengupta, Sougata Sinha Ray, Arindam Bhattacharjee & Sanjay Ghosh

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  1. Tanmay Dutta
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  2. Rupam Sahoo
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  3. Rajib Sengupta
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  4. Sougata Sinha Ray
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  5. Arindam Bhattacharjee
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  6. Sanjay Ghosh
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Correspondence to Sanjay Ghosh.

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Dutta, T., Sahoo, R., Sengupta, R. et al. Novel cellulases from an extremophilic filamentous fungi Penicillium citrinum: production and characterization. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 35, 275–282 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-008-0304-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-008-0304-2

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