INFLUENCE OF SUGARS ON ENDOGLUCANASE AND BETA-XYLANASE ACTIVITIES OF A BACILLUS STRAIN

A Bacillus sp. screened from termite infested soils produced significant amount of endoglucanase and xylanase enzymes when grown on a lignocellulosic substrate, rice husk. Biosynthesis of these enzymes was significantly enhanced by the addition of 0.2% cellobiose or glucose for endoglucanase and xylose for β-xylanase activities. In the actual hydrolyses, glucose and cellobiose at low concentrations acted as activitors of endoglucanase activity whereas cellobiose and xylose acted as inhibitors of β-xylanase activity. © 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers.