Plant Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes Produced by Phoma Betae, A Plant Pathogenic Fungus‪.‬

Abstract. -- The extracellular plant cell wall degrading enzymes of Phoma betae and the effect of different carbon sources on the production of these enzymes were investigated. Cellobiohydrolase and xylanase activities were detected in fluids collected from cultures containing all the carbon sources tested. Production of endoglucanase was induced by microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and xylan. The highest activities of cellobiohydrolase and xylanase were measured in fluids collected from cultures containing CMC. However, the highest activities of endoglucanase were detected in the fluids of cultures containing microcrystalline cellulose. Results of this study indicate that Phoma betae produces constitutively small amounts of cellobiohydrolase and xylanase. **********