The distribution of extracellular cellulase activity in marine Eukaryotes, thraustochytrids.

Cellulolytic ability was evaluated in 19 strains of thraustochytrids, representing nine genera, using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as a substrate. Extracellular cellulolytic enzyme activity was determined in the culture supernatants during cell growth. CMC hydrolysis was observed in 14 out of the 19 strains examined.