Total extracellular soluble protein content, an indicator of the
enzyme released, was measured by the Lowry protein assay using
bovine serum albumin as the standard (Lowry et al., 1951).
Xylanase activity was measured according to Bailey et al. (1992)
when serial enzyme dilutions were amended with 1% (w/v) birchwood
xylan, 0.05 M glycine/NaOH buffer (pH 8.0). This mixture
was incubated at 70 C for 10 min. Endoglucanase (CMCase) and
exoglucanase (Avicelase) activities were measured according to IUPAC
recommendations (Ghose, 1987) when the enzyme solution
was amended with 1% (w/v) carboxymethyl cellulose or