Cellulase Activity Assay kit (Fluorometric)

Product details

Cellulase Activity Assay Kit (Fluorometric) (ab189817) provides a simple method to measure cellulase activity in plant tissues, as well as purified cellulase extracted from plants, bacteria or fungi. The assay uses a long-wavelength fluorescent substrate, resorufin cellobioside. Upon cleavage of the substrate by cellulases present in the sample, the fluorescent compound resorufin is released and fluorescence can be easily detected at Ex/Em = 530/595 nm (peak Ex/Em = 571/585 nm) in a fluorescent microplate reader. The amount of fluorescence will correlate with cellulase activity.

Other Notes
Cellulases (EC 3.2.1.4) are a family of enzymes that include Beta-Glucosidases, endoglucanases, and exoglucanases. These enzymes cleave the Beta-1,4-D-glycosidic bonds that link the glucose units comprising cellulose. In addition to being produced by plants, cellulase activity is found in many fungi and bacteria, including some plant pathogens. Most animal cells are not known to produce cellulase; cellulolytic activity is often carried out in animals by symbionts. However, recent evidence does suggest cellulase production in some animals, such as insects and arthopods. The study of cellulase activity has many applications in plant molecular biology, agriculture, and manufacturing. Cellulase is also becoming important in the development of alternative fuel sources, as glucose obtained from cellulose hydrolysis is easily fermented into ethanol.