Production of extracellular cellulase by Lunulospora curvula and Flagellospora penicillioides.

Studies on the production of extracellular cellulase in two aquatic hyphomycetes Lunulospora curvula and Flagellospora penicillioides have shown that several factors such as carbon source, nitrogen source, pH and temperature affect the production of the enzyme. Experiments have shown that carboxymethyl cellulose is the best source of carbon, and ammonium sulfate is the best source of nitrogen for the production of the enzyme. An optimum pH of 5.2 and a temperature of 28 degrees C was found to favor maximum enzyme activity in 12-d-old cultures. Glucose and sucrose were found to suppress the activity of the enzyme in both organisms.