INDUCTION OF CELLULASE IN TRICHODERMA VIRIDE AS INFLUENCED BY CARBON SOURCES AND METALS

Abstract

Cellulase is an adaptive enzyme in T. viride. It is secreted when the organism is grown on cellulose, lactose, cellobiose, or glucose, but not on a wide variety of other substrates. Ca and certain trace elements are required for cellulase production, although the growth of the mold (except on pure cellulase) is not affected by their addition to the medium. The trace element requirement can be supplied by Co alone, but best cellulase production occurs if Fe or Mn and Zn or Co are added. The level of cellulase activity is closely correlated with the amount of protein in the culture filtrate.