INFLUENCE OF BETA-GLUCOSIDASE ON THE FILTER-PAPER ACTIVITY AND HYDROLYSIS OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC SUBSTRATES

When increasing concentrations of beta-glucosidase were added to Novo Celluclast, no significant increase in filter paper activity was obtained, once a relatively low beta-glucosidase level was already present. When these same enzyme mixtures were used to carry out long-term hydrolysis of steam-treated aspenwood, the beta-glucosidase content had a significant effect, particularly at high substrate concentrations. Although high levels of beta-glucosidase enhanced the efficiency of hydrolysis, the glucose released at high substrate concentrations greatly decreased the rate and completeness of hydrolysis. At higher substrate concentrations, resistance to end-product inhibition was as important to an efficient cellulase mixture as the level of filter paper activity.