Production of cutinase by Thermomonospora fusca ATCC 27730

Ten strains belonging to various Thermomonosora species were tested for the ir ability to hydrolyse the insoluble plant polyester cutin. One strain, th e thermophile T. fusca ATCC 27730, was found to produce a highly inducible cutinase when grown in broth medium containing purified apple cv. Golden De licious cutin. Apple pomace, tomato peel, potato suberin and commercial cor k were also shown to induce cutinase production. Addition of glucose to the culture medium either at the beginning of fermentation or after 2 days of incubation in the presence of apple cutin led to repression of cutinase pro duction. The cutinase was active against a wide range of cutins, including those isolated from other apple cultivars as well as tomato, cucumber, grap efruit, and green pepper. Cutinase activity; in the induced culture superna tant fluids exhibited a half-life of over 60 min at 70 degrees C and a pH o ptimum of 11.0. Some potential applications for cutinases are discussed.