INDUCTION OF CELLULASE BY CELLO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES IN TRICHODERMA-KONINGII G-39

A fraction of cello-oligosaccharides with a high degree of polymerization (Gx, degree of polymerization greater than 10) was found to be a potent cellulase inducer of Trichoderma koningii G-39. It was prepared by partial sulfuric acid hydrolysis of cellulose. A comparison of the induction potential and efficiency of Gx and sophorose indicated that the latent period of induction was longer and the maximal enzyme production lower for Gx than for sophorose. The apparent differences beetween the two compounds are attributable to the interplay of catabolic repression in the inducing effect of Gx which is subjected to cellulase degradation with glucose as the major end products.