Genetic studies on Clostridium acetobutylicum

The aim of this study involved the characterisation of the cellulolytic properties of Clostridium acetobutylicum and the development of a genetic transfer system for this organism. The production of a carboxymethyl cellulose and a cellobiase by C acetobutylicum was demonstrated. In liquid medium the carboxymethyl cellulase was induced by molasses, and it was not repressed by glucose. Optimum carboxymethyl cellulase activity occurred at pH 4.6 and 37°C. Optimum conditions for autolysis and autoplast formation in C. acetobutylicum were defined. Autolysis-deficient mutants which produced less autolysin than the parent strain were isolated. Growth of the P262 strain and the lyt-1 mutant was inhibited by the same concentrations of wall-inhibiting antibiotics.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology

Year dc:date.issued

1982

Author dc:creator

• Allcock, Errol Ralph

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Woods, David
• Reid, Sharon J

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9977

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9977