CELLULASE INDUCTION AND USE OF CELLULOSE AS A PREFERRED GROWTH SUBSTRATE BY CELLVIBRIO-GILVUS

C. gilvus produced cellulase when grown in the presence of cellulose or CM-cellulose (CMC) but not when grown in the presence of glucose or cellobiose. This was so whether or not these compounds were the sole C sources present. Repeated addition of small amounts of glucose prevented cellulase formation in the presence of cellulose. Apparently cellulose and CMC induce cellulase formation and glucose and cellobiose repress it. Cellulose stimulated growth when added to organic media. Physical contact between cells and cellulose fibers was necessary for cellulase induction and growth stimulation. If cellulase induction was prevented by glucose, cellulose did not stimulate growth.