Control of cellulase formation by trehalose in Clostridium papyrosolvens CFR-703

The effect of different sugars on the cellulase system (total cellulase, av icelase, endoglucanase, and beta -glucosidase) of Clostridium papyrosolvens CFR-703 was investigated under anaerobic fermentation conditions. Trehalos e, lactose and cellobiose induced total cellulase activity of 26, 13.7 and 15.5 IU/ml, respectively. With the exception of trehalose, a concentration of >2% of these inducers inhibited production of all components of cellulas e in the cultivation medium, This is the first time trehalose has been repo rted to be an inducer of cellulase synthesis, suggesting its industrial pot ential for the production of the cellulase complex especially total cellula se and avicelase required for commercial applications. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.