title: Degradation of crystalline cellulose by the brown-rot basidiomycete Fomitopsis palustris.
abstract: This study demonstrated that the brown rot basidiomycete Fomitopsis palustris was able to degrade crystalline cellulose (Avicel). This fungus could also produce the three major cellulases (exoglucanases, endoglucanases, and beta-glucosidase) when the cells were grown on 2.0% Avicel. Avicel degraded by F. palustris showed a decrease in relative crystallinity from 83% to 78.5% after 14 days of incubation. The characterization study indicated that optimum pH was 4.5 and optimum temperature was 70 degrees C for exoglucanase (cellobiohydrolase) activity. Hydrolysis of Avicel by the crude enzyme from F. palustris yielded 1.6 mg/ml of glucose after 43 h, which corresponded to a cellulose conversion degree of 3.2%. Therefore, this study revealed for the first time that the brown rot basidiomycete F. palustris produces cellulases capable of yielding soluble sugars from crystalline cellulose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forest Products, College of Forest Science, Kookmin University, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. jjyoon@kookmin.ac.kr
authors.forename: Jeong-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Young-Kyoon
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002480:Cellulase / Q000032:analysis; D002482:Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism*; D043366:Cellulose 1,4-beta-Cellobiosidase / Q000032:analysis; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D020072:Polyporales / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D001617:beta-Glucosidase / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002482:Cellulose; D001617:beta-Glucosidase; D002480:Cellulase; D043366:Cellulose 1,4-beta-Cellobiosidase; D005947:Glucose