GLYCOPROTEIN COMPONENTS OF CELLULASE AND XYLANASE ENZYMES OF A BACILLUS SP

The mesophilic Bacillus sp. secretes an array of extracellular enzymes responsible for degradation of cellulosic and hemicellulosic componen ts of the substrate, rice husk used as a carbon source during the grow th of the organism. Two major glycoproteins have been detected and par tially purified from culture supernatant by affinity chromatography wi th molecular weights of 30 kd and 15.7 kd which were active against 1% CMC and 0.5% xylan respectively. Both the proteins differed in their Km values, carbohydrate contents and their pH and temperature stabilit ies. IEF gel electrophoresis performed on the bound fraction revealed acidic pI for both the proteins. The catalytic properties of these pro teins were studied and their possible role in degradation process disc ussed.