Filamentous marine fungi as producers of O-glycosylhydrolases: beta-1,3-glucanase from Chaetomium indicum

• Published in: Marine biotechnology (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2003-07, Vol.5 (4), p.349-359
• Main Authors: Burtseva, Yu V, Verigina, N S, Sova, V V, Pivkin, M V, Zvyagintseva, T N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chaetomium - enzymology; Chaetomium indicum; Chromatography, Gel; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Geography; Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase - biosynthesis; Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase - isolation & purification; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Marine; Pacific Ocean; Substrate Specificity; Temperature; Ultrafiltration
• ISSN: 1436-2228
• DOI: 10.1007/s10126-002-0070-2

Ninety fungal strains (42 species) isolated from marine habitats were studied for their ability to produce extracellular enzymes. Cultural filtrates of these strains were shown to contain a series of glycosidases (beta-glucosidases, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidases, beta-galactosidases alpha-mannosidases) and glucanases (1,3-beta-glucanases, amylases) which varied with habitat. The level of activity depended on the species of fungi. Several promising strains capable of producing both individual enzymes and a set of enzymes for splitting carbohydrate-containing compound have been isolated. Optimal conditions for growth of Chaetomium indicum and for biosynthesis of beta-1,3-glucanase were determined. beta-1,3-Glucanase was isolated using ion-exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration, and gel filtration. The presence of 2 enzyme forms was shown; both forms were exo-beta-1,3-glucanases.