Purification of particles of subterranean clover red leaf virus using an industrial-grade cellulase

Particles of two isolates of subterranean clover red leaf virus were purified by a method in which infected plant tissue was digested with an industrial-grade cellulase, Celluclast 2.0 L type X. The yields of virus particles using this enzyme were comparable with those obtained using either of two laboratory-grade cellulases, Cellulase type 1 (Sigma) and Driselase. However, the specific infectivity or aphid transmissibility of the particles purified using Celluclast was 10-100 times greater than those of preparations obtained using laboratory-grade cellulases or no enzyme. The main advantage of using Celluclast is that at present in Australia its cost is only ca. 1% of laboratory-grade cellulases.