Abstract

ORTIZ MORENO, Martha L.  and  URIBE - VELEZ, Daniel. A new method for quantifying endoglucanase activity based on Congo red-carboxymethyl cellulosecomplex depolymerisation. Orinoquia [online]. 2011, vol.15, n.1, pp.7-15. ISSN 0121-3709.

The aim of this work was to establish a method for quantifying endoglucanase activity based on the depolymerisation of the Congo red-polysaccharide complex. The mathematical viscosity and absorbance patternsforCongo red-carboxymethylcellulose(CMC) culture media were thus described. The inoculated media'sviscosity and absorbance were monitored for 8 daysto measure the impact of a cellulolytic fungus such as Trichodermaviride on the media. Enzymeconcentration was calculated by correlating reducing sugars'absorbance test results using3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) with loss of CMC culture mediaabsorbance. Four cellulolytic deuteromycetesstrains were testedto assess the technique'sapplicability;it was found that usingCMC media absorbancelosswas effective for differentiatingstrains'endoglucanase activity. The Congored-CMC method was faster and more sensitive than the DNS method. This new method should thusbe appliedin screening assays when bioprospecting cellulolytic fungi in soil.

Keywords : Endoglucanase; carboxymethylcellulose; Congo red; cellulolytic fungus.

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