A Comparison between the Cellulolytic Activity of White and Brown Rot Fungi. I. The Activity on Insoluble Cellulose.

About 70 strains of white and brown rot fungi were cultivated on media, containing filter paper cellulose as the main carbon source. The cellulolytic activity of the culture filtrates was measured after different periods of growth by means (if the turbidimetric method. The results obtained indicate a difference between the two types of wood decay fungi as to the capacity of attacking the cellulose used in the medium and in the cellulase test. No significant C₁-activity was found injury of the brown rot cultures whereas all white rot fungi tested exerted a measurable activity on the test substrate. The effect of various carbohydrates and some proteins as inducers of cellulase activity was studied. Especially cellobiose and lactose were active on white rot fungi in this respect, particularly in the presence of yeast extract. Also some brown rot fungi exerted C₁-activity after incubation on glucose or cellobiose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]