Purification and partial characterization of three extracellular cellulases from Cellulomonas sp.

Three extracellular cellulases have been purified from cultures of Cellulomonas. One was found in solution in the cell-free supernatant and two others were found to be bound to the cellulose added as a carbon source. The free enzyme and one of the cellulose-bound enzymes bind to Sephadex. The two cellulose-bound enzymes are glycosylated. The three enzymes behave as endocellulases towards soluble carboxymethyl-cellulose and have little activity on cellulose powder.