EFFECT OF SURFACTANTS ON CELLULASE PRODUCTION BY NECTRIA-CATALINENSIS

The effect of different nonionic surfactants (Tween 80, Tween 20, Trit on X-100) and polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) was tested on cellulolyti c enzyme system production. Tween 80 gave the highest yield of endoglu canase, exoglucanase, and cellobiase at the 20th day of growth, presum ably by causing increased permeability of cell membranes and/or by pro moting the release of cell-bound enzymes. Maximal yield of endoglucana se was achieved with 1.7 mM Tween 80, whereas exoglucanase and cellobi ase were at 0.85 mM. In the same way, this compound increased fungal g rowth. On the other hand, Tween 20 and Triton X-100 inhibited growth a nd cellulolytic enzyme production. High yields of endoglucanase and ex oglucanase were achieved with PEG 6000 in comparison with the control, presumably by increasing enzyme stability.