The action of 1,4-β-D-glucan cellobiohydrolase on Valonia cellulose microcrystals. An electron microscopic study

Abstract

The interaction between 1,4-β-D-glucan-cellobiohydrolase I (CBHI) from Trichoderma reesei and microcrystalline cellulose from Vallonia macrophysa was investigated by electron microscopy which allows to visualize the individual enzymes and their strong adsorption at the substrate surface. The microcrystals are slowly degraded and decrystallized by erosion and fibrillation while soluble products are released and characterized by HPLC. CBHI is thus able to break down Valonia microcrystals without the help of any endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. © 1983.