Both 10% and 20% (w/w) Chlorella suspensions were hydrolyzed by 150 to 350 U/mL of cellulases from a 3-d cultivation of Cellulomonas sp. YJ5. Higher chlorophyll, reducing sugars and soluble proteins, and lower residual insoluble solid were observed on both samples after 30-min hydrolysis by various concentrations of cellulases at 50 °C. Decrease in insoluble solid, increases in soluble proteins, peptides and chlorophyll contents, and microscopic observation indicated obvious lysis of cell walls occurred during 60- to 180-min hydrolysis. Significant increases in soluble proteins, peptides, Fe(2+) chelating ability, trolox equivalent antioxidation capacity (TEAC), and reducing power was obtained after 3-h hydrolysis by 150 U/mL of cellulase. These data suggested that cellulolysis technology has high application potential in Chlorella industry.
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