Botryosphaeran, a new substrate for the production of β-1,3-glucanases by Botryosphaeria rhodina and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai

Botryosphaeria rhodina and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai were grown on botryosphaeran (an exopolysaccharide (EPS) of the β-1,3;1,6-d-glucan type produced by B. rhodina) as sole carbon source with the objective of producing β-glucanases of the 1,3-type. Conditions for β-1,3-glucanase production by T. harzianum were examined by a statistical response surface method, and showed maximal enzyme production at 5 days growth in media containing 1.5 g/l of EPS. Good agreement was obtained between the experimental values of β-1,3-glucanase activity and the corresponding values predicted by the mathematical model. The crude β-1,3-glucanase preparations were active towards a number of different β-1,3-glucans and β-glucosides. The mycelium of B. rhodina also proved to be a good substrate for β-1,3-glucanase production by both fungal species.