ABSTRACT
Physiological studies were carried out for optimization of production of cellulases and beta-glucosidase by Penicillium funi-culosum NRCE-269. The highest levels of beta-glucosidase were obtained from statically incubated cultures, whereas the filter paper activity [FPA] was slightly lower as compared to that obtained in shake cultures. Under the static incubation adopted here, both enzymes were optimally produced in media with initial pH adjusted to 5.0. The filter paper activity and carboxymethl-cellulase activity [CMCA] were induced maximally by cellobiose, and xylose whereas beta -glucosidase activity was specifically induced by cellobiose. Several ligno-cellulosic wastes common in Egypt were tested with respect to their suitability for enzymes production. The alkalitreated corn cobs gave the highest levels of the three enzyme activities under study. Filtrates of cultures grown on corn cobs medium were used as enzyme sources for saccharification of alkali-treated rice straw, wheat straw and sugar-cane bagasse. The saccharification process was carried out at pH 4.8 and temperature 50° for 60 hr at 5% substrate concentration. Under the stated conditions, saccharification expressed as percentages of the dry weight of the three iignocellulo-sic wastes amounted to 53%, 59% and 70% respectively. These values corresponded to 81%, 76% and 73% of the content of available sugars in the three lignocellulosic wastes in the same order. The results obtained were discussed in the light of their application feasibility with special reference to the developing countries