Xylanase Production by Penicillium sclerotiorum and its Characterization

Recently, xylanases have expanded their use in many processing industries, such as pulp and paper, food and textile. The production of xylanase by the fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum under submerse cultivation was investigated. Oat spelts xylan and wheat bran were the best inducers of xylanase activity. Optimal xylanase production was obtained in liquid Vogel medium, pH 6.5, at 30oC, under stationary condition during 5 days. The temperature for optimum activity was 50oC and optimum pH 4.5. The enzyme was stable at 40oC, with a half-life of 72 min. and when it was incubated at 45 and 50oC, the half-life was 8 min and shorter than 4 min, respectively. High pH stability was verified from pH 3.5 to 7.5. This enzyme showed interesting characteristics for some process, such as pulp and paper industry, because P. sclerotiorum produces low cellulase level, as well as in food industries.