Chrysosporium Cellulase and Methods of Use

Abstract

The subject invention relates to novel compositions of neutral and / or alkaline cellulase and methods for obtaining neutral and / or alkaline cellulase compositions from Chrysosporium cultures, in particular Chrysosporium lucknowense. This invention also provides mutants and methods of generating mutants of Chrysosporium capable of producing neutral and / or alkaline cellulase. This invention also relates to the genes encoding the enzymes comprising the neutral and / or alkaline cellulase composition. In addition, this invention provides methods of culturing Chrysosporium to produce neutral and / or alkaline cellulases. The neutral and / or alkaline cellulase compositions of the subject invention can be used in a variety of processes including stone washing of clothing, detergent processes, deinking, color brightening, depilling and biobleaching of paper and pulp and treatment of waste streams. The present invention also relates to the isolation and purification of cellulase enzymes, having glucanase and cellobiohydrolase activity, and useful for stonewashing applications.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to neutral and / or alkaline cellulases and novel methods for producing the same. More specifically this invention relates to cellulases produced by fungi of the genus Chrysosporium, and particular strains of Chrysosporium lucknowense. This invention also relates to industrial uses for these neutral or alkaline cellulases and compositions comprising the same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Clothing made from cellulosic fabrics such as cotton, linen, hemp, ramie, cupro, lyocell, newcell, rayon, polynosics, are very popular. Of particular interest are clothing items such as jeans made from indigo-dyed denim fabrics made of cotton or cotton blends. Such clothing items are typically sewn from sized and cut cloth and tend to be stiff due to the presence of sizing compositions. In other cases the fibers or rolls of fabric are treated with enzymes prior to sewing the final garment. After a period of wear, the clothing items can develop a ce...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"This patent is about a new method for producing neutral and alkaline cellulases, which are enzymes used in industrial applications such as textile softening, garment dyeing, and biopolishing. The method involves culturing specific fungi of the genus Chrysosporium, particularly Chrysosporium lucknowense, and using recombinant technology to produce the cellulases. The patent also describes the use of the cellulases in detergent compositions and for the saccharification of lignocellulose biomass. Overall, the patent provides a novel way to produce these important enzymes and their applications."

Problems solved by technology

Such clothing items are typically sewn from sized and cut cloth and tend to be stiff due to the presence of sizing compositions.

However, the use of pumice has some disadvantages.

Also, the pumice stones can cause overload damage to electric motors of stone washing machines, and clog machine drainage passages and drain lines.

These processing and equipment problems can add significantly to the cost of doing business and to the purchase price of the goods.

Such enzyme components act on internal regions of the polymer, resulting in a rapid decrease in average polymer chain length together with a slow increase in the number of reducing ends.

However, there is a problem with using the cellulase derived from Trichoderma spp. and especially Trichoderma longibrachiatum in detergent compositions.

Secondly, it is known that denim fabrics are alkaline in nature owing to the fact that the dyeing process utilities caustic soda.