Induction of cellulases by disaccharides or their derivatives in Penicillium janthinellum EMS-UV-8 mutant

ABSTRACT

Disaccharides or their derivatives were analyzed for the induction of cellulases by Penicillium janthinellum EMS-UV-8 mutant. Among seven (Crocin, Gentiobiose, Cellobiose, α-D-Cellobiose octaacetate, Trehalose, Melibiose, Turanose) different compounds tested, α-D-Cellobiose octaacetate (COA) was found to be promising for induction of cellulases. The maximum of 0.8 IU/mL filter paper units, 4.7 IU/mL β–glucosidase and 1.0 mg/mL protein were produced using 0.1% (weight/volume) COA as an inducer and 1% glucose as a carbon source for growth. Next to COA the gentiobiose, trehalose, melibiose and turanose also induce cellulase but at a low level. The induction of cellulase was also analyzed in the presence and absence of light and it was found that the absence of light supports more growth and less cellulase induction, while in the presence of light mycelial growth was restricted but more cellulases were induced. The knowledge of cellulase induction by COA and light could be beneficial for large-scale cellulase production for conversion of cellulosic biomass to biofuels.

KEYWORDS:

• Biofuel
• cellulase induction
• α-D-cellobiose octaacetate
• Penicillium janthinellum
• light

Acknowledgements

All authors acknowledge the Indian Oil Corporation and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, for providing financial support. MA thanks DBT for a DBT Energy Bioscience Overseas Fellowship. All authors are very thankful to Dr. D.V. Gokhale for providing the EMS-UV-8 strain for our study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.