PRODUCTION OF CELLULASES AND HEMICELLULASES BY THE STRAW MUSHROOM, VOLVARIELLA-VOLVACEA

Carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), Avicelase and beta-glucosidase produc tion was monitored in submerged cultures of two strains (V 14 and V 34 ) of Volvariella volvacea grown on Avicel. All three cellulolytic enzy mes were detectable in culture supematants, although levels of CMCase and Avicelase were considerably higher in cultures of V. volvacea V 14 . beta-Glucosidase activity was also observed in mycelial extracts of both fungal strains. Addition of 0.2% Tween 80 to cultures markedly en hanced extracellular cellulase activity, especially in V. volvacea V 3 4. Cellulases, together with xylanase and both intra- and extracellula r beta-xylosidase, were also recorded in cultures of V. volvacea V 34 grown on paddy straw.