Screening for xylanase and beta-xylosidase production from wood-inhabiting Penicillium strains for potential use in biotechnological applications

Abstract

Experiments were performed to find potential sources for enzyme production for the pulp and paper industry and for biological ethanol production by screening the cellulase, xylanase and beta-xylosidase activities of 36 species of Penicillium isolated from various wood materials in Korea. Rice straw powder (RiceP), birchwood xylan (BirchX), and beechwood xylan (BeechX) were supplied as individual carbon sources for the Penicillium species. All Penicillium species tested in this study showed little cellulase activity, but some species exhibited remarkably high xylanase and gamma-xylosidase activities, as determined by a filter paper assay. oxalicum showed the greatest xylanase activity on RiceP (158.70 U ml(-1)). On the other hand, P brevicompactum produced the highest active beta-xylosidase on BirchX (6.25 U ml(-1)).