[beta-1,3-1,4-Glucanase in sporeforming microorganisms. II. Production of beta-glucan-hydrolases by various Bacillus species (author's transl)].

Production of beta-1,3-1,4-glucan hydrolase (licheninase) was studied in 45 strains of Bacillus representing 17 various species using lichenin as substrate. It was found that the enzyme was produced by the strains of B. pumilus, B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. polymyxa, B. macerans, B. laterosporus and one strain of B. circulans. A new screening method based on application of a gel prepared from the cross-linked lichenin as an only source of carbon in the cultivation medium is presented. Using this method and methods using other cross-linked gels as carbon sources in a synthetic liquid medium, production of licheninase, amylase and cellulase by the strains tested is compared.