EVALUATION OF β-1, 4 - ENDOGLUCANASE AND β-1, 4-EXOGLUCANASE PRODUCTION BY FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F. SP. ELAEIDIS

Abstract

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. elaeidis has been established to be a pathogen responsible for vascular wilt disease of the oil palm. Fusarium oxysporum despite a pathogen of the oil palm, is also a good source of producing cellulases such as endoglucanase and exoglucanase. Endoglucanase and exoglucanase production by the fungus appears to be pH dependent. Three strains of F. oxysporum using pH parameter under the submerged culture conditions were comparatively examined for endoglucanase and exoglucanase production. The most suitable pH of the culture medium (pectin broth) for enzymes production was determined by adjusting the pH of the culture medium at different levels in the range of pH 4.5-7.5 using 1.5M NaOH and 1.0M HCl for pH adjustment. Crude enzymes extract obtained from the culture filtrates were used to evaluate for endoglucanase and exoglucanase using 3, 5- dinitrosalisylic acid (DNS). Optimum production of these enzymes occurred at pH 5.5. Result from this study show that pH influenced the production of these enzymes produced by the three strains of F. oxysporum.