Plant cell wall degrading enzymes produced by the phytopathogenic fungus Sclerotium bataticola

The extracellular plant cell wall degrading enzymes of Sclerotium bataticola 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 xylan and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as carbon sources and enzyme inducers. Production of endoglucanase was induced by all carbon sources tested. The highest activities of endoglucanase and xylanase were measured in fluids collected from cultures containing xylan. Results of this study indicate that Sclerotium bataticola produces constitutively small amounts of endoglucanase.