The formation of short fibres from native cellulose by components of Trichoderma koningii cellulase.

Cellulolytic enzyme components of culture filtrates of Trichoderma koningii were fractionated on ionic and non-ionic forms of Sephadex and on cellulose powder (Whatman) and examined for their ability to hydrolyse soluble carboxymethyl-cellulose, and to saccharify, solubilize and form short fibres from native undegraded cellulose of the type found in cotton. DEAE-Sephadex provided two CM-cellulase components and a C(1) component; the C(1) component acted weakly and solely on cotton, forming soluble products but not short fibres. The ability to form short fibres was confined almost wholly to one of the CM-cellulase components which completely degraded cotton, minimally to soluble products and extensively to short fibres. The latter action was unaffected by the presence of the other two components. The two CM-cellulase components solubilized cellulose synergistically whereas the short-fibre-forming component and C(1) component were inhibitory.