| abstract |
A partially or wholly isolated swollenin protein derived from a microbial source is described. Swollenin is described as a protein or polypeptide or domain of a protein or polypeptide of microbial, i.e. fungal or bacterial, origin which has the ability to facilitate weakening of filter paper and the swelling of cotton fibers without having cellulolytic activity, i.e. catalytic activity involving the breakage of individual cellulose strands into smaller monomer (glucose) or oligomers (polysaccharides). Also described are methods providing a DNA sequence corresponding to a microbial swollenin which can be used in an industrial production of swollenin protein. The protein is useful in methods whereupon alteration of cellulosic substrates, such as pulp and paper, cellulose based textile fibers, animal feed and corn wet milling or dry milling polysaccharide waste products or other cellulosic biomass. |