EFFECT OF GLUCOSE AND OTHER SUGARS ON THE BETA-1,4-GLUCOSIDASE ACTIVITY OF THERMOMONOSPORA-FUSCA

The cell-associated beta -glucosidase activity of Themomonospora fusca, YX, showed both PNPGase and cellobiase activities. The cellobiase activity was found by HPLC assay to have very low product inhibition, whereas the PNPGase activity was more significantly inhibited. Of the various sugars and sugar analogs tested for inhibition of the PNPGase activity, gluconolactone had the greatest effect. The low product inhibition of the cellobiase activity was further demonstrated by the production of glucose syrups to 20% concentration from both cellobiose and swollen cellulose (Avicel). This characteristic is of practical importance in the development of a commercial process for the production of glucose syrups from cellulose. Growth experiments gave further evidence for the probability of separate enzymes for the PNPGase and cellobiase activities.