Characteristics of Clostridium thermocellum strain SS8: A broad saccharolytic thermophile

Abstract
Clostridium thermocellum SS8 produced both carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) and Avicelase when grown on cellulose. CMCase activity was unaffected by Ca2+, Mg2+, dithionate or dithiothreitol (DTT). Avicelase activity increased 2-fold with 5 mM DTT and 10 mM Ca2+. Cellulase and amylase were produced when a celluloseadapted culture was grown on starch. The mould grew best on sucrose and was inhibited by NaCl above 10 g/l.