Submerged cultivation of Scytalidium thermophilum on complex lignocellulosic biomass for endoglucanase production

Scytalidium thermophilum endoglucanase production was analyzed on lignocell ulosic biomass in submerged cultures at 45 degreesC and 155 rpm for S days. Endoglucanase, adsorbability of endoglucanase onto avicel, as well as exog lucanase, and filter paper activities were determined and compared with tho se on microcrystalline cellulose (avicel) as the main source of carbon. Len til bran and sunflower seed bagasse yielded c. 1.5 fold more endoglucanase and avicel-adsorbable endoglucanase activity than avicel, and activities on grass clippings were similar. Grass clippings yielded the highest percenta ge of avicel-adsorbable endoglucanase among all lignocellulosic substrates tested. By the time when endoglucanase activities reached maximal levels, e xo,glucanase activities on lentil bran, sunflower seed bagasse and grass cl ippings were c. 1.5-3 fold lower than those on avicel, although a significa nt difference in filter paper activities was not observed. On lignocellulos ic biomass, maximum levels of endoglucanase activity were reached within 3- 4 days, and within 6-7 days on avicel. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All r ights reserved.