Hemicellulase activity of aerobic fungal cellulases

Cellulases isolated from Trichoderma reesei and Phanerochaete chrysosporium were screened for hemi-cellulolytic, pectinolytic and cellulolytic activit y using locust bean mannan, birchwood xylan, citrus fruit pectin and carbox ymethylated cellulose (CMC) as substrates. The purpose of this work was to choose appropriate enzymes to include in a "miniature cellulase system" wit h minimal hemicellulase activity for the preparation of lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs). The endoglucanases showed CMC activity whereas activity towards the substrate was not detected for the CBHs. Xylanase activity was observed for EG I and EG 38 whereas mannanase activity was observed for EG 44. None of the enzymes degraded pectin. The results suggest that CBH I, CB H II, CBH 58, EG II and EG III are good candidates for the effective prepar ation of LCCs. The possible biological function for the hemicellulolytic ac tivity of cellulases is discussed.