Microbial biotechnology
Electronic Journal of Biotechnology ISSN: 0717-3458 Vol. 12 No. 4, Issue of October 15, 2009
© 2009 by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso -- Chile Received September 23, 2008 / Accepted June 19, 2009
DOI: 10.2225/vol12-issue4-fulltext-3
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Characterization of cellulolytic activities of Bjerkandera adusta and Pycnoporus sanguineus on solid wheat straw medium

Rosa E. Quiroz-Castañeda
 Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos
Cuernavaca, Morelos, México

Edgar Balcázar-López
 Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos
Cuernavaca, Morelos, México 

Edgar Dantán-González
 Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos
Cuernavaca, Morelos, México

Alfredo Martinez
 Instituto de Biotecnología
Universidad Autónoma Nacional De México
Cuernavaca, Morelos, México

 Jorge Folch-Mallol
 Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos
Cuernavaca, Morelos, México 

Claudia Martínez Anaya*
 Instituto de Biotecnología
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa 62210
Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
E-mail: cma@ibt.unam.mx

*Corresponding author

Financial support: CONACYT grant 48256Z and Conacyt scholarships to Rosa E. Quiroz-Castañeda (No. 47895) and Edgar Balcázar-López (No. 204223); and a postdoctoral fellowship to Claudia Martínez-Anaya (Exp. No.050272).

Keywords: B. adusta, cellulases, P. sanguineus, wheat straw, xylanases.

Abbreviations:

CMC: carboxymethylcellulose
DNS: dinitrosalycilic acid
PA: polyacrylamide
Abstract   Full Text

Cellulolytic properties of two white rot fungi, Bjerkandera adusta and Pycnoporus sanguineus, cultivated on wheat straw agar medium, were characterized and compared. Optimal growing parameters for maximum enzyme production for both fungi were wheat straw medium pH 5 and 28ºC. B. adusta showed, on the 6th day of culture, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)ase activity levels 1.6 times higher than maximal P. sanguineus activity, achieved on the 8th day. B. adusta supernatants also displayed higher activity levels towards xylan (3.6-fold) compared to those of P. sanguineus. However, enzymes from P. sanguineus were more robust resisting one hour incubation at high temperatures (up to 80ºC), and exhibiting activity and stability in pH range from 2 to 8. Cellulolytic activities, with molecular masses ranging from 25 to 90 kDa, from the two species were detected in zymograms. 
Supported by UNESCO / MIRCEN network