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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Cellulase is an important enzyme used in the pulp and paper industries, detergent, textile and food. This work reports on the production of cellulose fromwhite-rot fungi Pycnoporussanguineus. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The fermentation of P.sanguineus was carried out using three different carbon sources that are cellulose, α-cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose to choose the most suitable carbon source for growth and enzymes production by P.sanguineus. The enzyme kinetics parameters (K_m and V_max) and the effect of metal ions on the cellulase enzyme activity were studied. The effects of some metal ions on the enzymes activity were also studied. Findings: The comparison of cellulase enzyme produced from both white rot fungi were done within 5 days of the fermentation time. The comparison was carried out in terms of growth rate of both fungus and the activity of FPase enzyme produced. Results showed that the FPase produced by P.sanguineus was six times higher than S.commune.The highest activity of FPase (18.00 U.mL^-1), CMCase (7.28 U.mL^-1) and EXOase (5.87 U.mL^-1) was obtained on the fourth day of fermentation by P. sanguineuswhen α-cellulose was used as the carbon source. Then, α-cellulose was selected as the carbon source for the production of cellulase from P.sanguineus. The V_max (1.54 µmol.h^-1) and K_m (0.5 mM) values of the cellulase enzyme using filter paper as the substrate were determined using Lineweaver-Burk plot. The addition of Mg²⁺ ions and Ca²⁺ ions increases the cellulase activity significantly. Application/Improvements: The addition of Mg²⁺ ions at concentration of 7mM and Ca²⁺ ions at 5mM concentration increases cellulase activity up to 19.2% and 16.2% respectively.

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