Cell-associated and extracellular cellulolytic enzyme activity in the marine fungus Dendryphiella arenaria

Abstract

Cellulolytic activity in Dendryphiella arenaria was demonstrated by its ability to release dye from dyed crystalline cellulose and to produce cell-associated and extracellular enzymes when grown on a similar substrate. Exoglucanase was found only in an insoluble form, associated with the hyphae and cellulose particles following sonic disruption of the cells. Endoglucanase was predominantly cell free but with a small amount associated with the cell fractions. High β-glucosidase activity was seen in the filtrate and cell fractions, although in the soluble intracellular fraction its activity disappeared with time. Optimal pH activities for exoglucanase and endoglucanase were demonstrated to be 7.0 and 5.8, respectively. Temperature optima of the enzyme components also differed; maximum exoglucanase activity in the cell-associated fractions and endoglucanase activity in the cell-associated and filtrate fractions occurred at 65 and 60 °C, respectively. Maximum β-glucosidase activity in the filtrate and soluble intracellular fractions occurred at 55 °C and that in the particulate fraction occurred at 60 °C.