Some factors affecting endo‐β‐1,4‐glucanase production by two Bacillus strains isolated from Zimbabwean hot springs

Abstract

Two Bacillus strains capable of producing endo-p-1,4-glucanase enzyme were isolated from Zimbabwean hot springs. Strain HR68 produced the enzyme when cultured using both carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and simple sugars as carbon source while strain CH43 produced the enzyme on CMC only. The optimum conditions for enzyme production were an initial pH of 6 and a temperature of 50 "C for strain HR68 while for strain CH43 the optimum conditions for enzyme production were an initial pH of 5 and a temperature of 50 "C. A fall in enzyme production was observed after about 4 to 8 h of growth for both isolates. The fall in production coincided with a rise in proteolytic activity in cultures of both isolates. Strain HR68 produced endo-p-1,4-glucanase when grown in continuous culture using glucose as the carbon source.