An endo-β-1, 4-glucanase (EC. 3.2.1.4) from a Neurospora sp isolated from a mouldy corn cob was produced in a solid substrate fermentation (SSF) system of 30.2% moisture level. The enzyme was optimally produced in 48h at an initial culture pH of 6.0 in a medium consisting of corn cob, 5g; defatted melon meal, 1g; MnS04.H20, 2.5mM and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), 0.16%. The relative rates of hydrolysis of carboxymethyl-cellulose, crystalline cellulose and crude lignocellulosic wastes by the crude enzyme extract showed the preference of the enzyme to carboxymethyl-cellulose. The least hydrolyzed cellulose was sigmacel.

By ONWU EMELIE, MMAEGBUNAM NEBECHI Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Faculty of Biosciences Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.