ISSN 2375-1134
African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Investigating the Role of Different Carbon Sources in Enhancing Cellulase Activity in Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501
Nwodo-Chinedu, S.1*, Okochi, V. I.2, Smith, H. A.2, Okafor, U. A.2, Onyegeme-Okerenta, B. M. and Omidiji, O. 3
1Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, KM 10 Idiroko Road,
Canaan Land, PMB 1023 Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.
2Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, PMB 12003 Idiaraba, Nigeria.
3Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Accepted 15 May, 2024
Abstract
The effects of glucose, crystalline cellulose and sawdust of Mitragyna cilata on the growth and cellulase production, inferred from cellulase (EC 3. 2. 1. 4) activity, of Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501 was determined. Glucose-containing media gave the highest mycelia weight of 1.78 mg mL-1 in 120 h of incubation. This is about 3.5 – 4.5 times the maximum weights of 0.51 and 0.40 mg mL-1 respectively obtained from the cultures containing cellulose and sawdust. The cultures containing crystalline cellulose and sawdust produced extracellular protein with cellulase (EC 3. 2. 1. 4) activity whereas glucose-containing cultures yielded very low protein and no significant cellulase activity. Maximum protein content of 0.02, 0.13 and 0.46 mg mL-1 respectively were obtained from the cultures containing glucose, cellulose and sawdust. Peak cellulase activity values of 100.0 and 92.2 Units L-1 respectively were obtained for the cultures containing cellulose and sawdust. There is a correlation between the protein released and cellulase activity of the culture filtrates. P. chrysogenum PCL501 produces extracellular proteins with significant cellulase activity in media containing cellulose and sawdust but not in glucose- containing medium. Sawdust is indicated as a good inducer of cellulase activity in the organism. The waste cellulosic material can be used as low-cost carbon source for commercial cellulase production.
Key words: P. chrysogenum PCL501, growth, cellulase activity, glucose, cellulosic materials.