Properties of Partially Purified Cellulolytic and Plant Tissue Macerating Enzymes ofIrpex lacteusFr. in Special Reference to Their Application

Abstract
The filter paper disintegrating activity (FD) and the plant tissue macerating activity (MA) in the enzyme preparation (Driselase, DRS) produced by Irpex lacteus Fr. (KY2902) were studied. Optimum pH value of FD was 3.5~5.0 and that of MA was 4.0~6.0. Optimum temperature of FD was 45°C and that of MA was 40~45°C. Both FD and MA were stable in a wide pH range investigated and they were thermostable up to 45°C. FD was remarkably inhibited by Ag1+, Hg2+ and Sn2+; on the other hand, MA was not affected by any of metal ions tested. DRS exhibited high cellulase, hemicelluiase and pectinase activities, but its excellent points were characterized by multiple enzyme systems that were able to be represented by e.g. MA and soybean meal disintegrating activity (SD). Using various grains, it was examined with a microscope how tissues were macerated and cell walls were disintegrated with DRS.