Cellulase production from kraft hardwood pulp by Trichoderma reesei rut C‐30

Abstract

Cellulase on-site production can occur in a supplementary unit in a kraft paper mill to create additional revenue. In this study, the production of cellulase enzyme from kraft hardwood pulp by Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30 was investigated in a 3 L fermenter. Experiments were conducted at three pH levels, 3.5, 4.0, and 5.0, to study their impact on T. reesei Rut C-30 growth and cellulase production. It was found that higher pH values promoted cell proliferation but not cellulase production. The highest cellulase activity and productivity were obtained at a pH level of 3.5. The solid loading effect of the substrate was also investigated over the range of 2% to 5% (w/v) to determine the maximum levels of cellulase activity obtainable. The highest titer of 7.5 FPU mL -1 was achieved at 4% (w/v) of hardwood pulp. Cellulase production in this condition yielded 246.7 FPU/g-glucan of hardwood pulp with a productivity of 56.8 FPU L -1 h -1 . The higher xylanase activity in the enzyme produced in-house resulted in higher glucan and xylan digestibility than the commercial enzyme.In the Field: Cellulase from pulp J Li et al.

Enhanced lactic acid production by Bacillus coagulans through simultaneous saccharification, biodetoxification, and fermentation

“…Li et al . reported glucosidase production of about 0.51 pNPG U/mg from craft hardwood pulp by T. reesei RUT C‐30 – higher than that of this study …”

Elucidation of microbial diversity and lignocellulolytic enzymes for the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass in the forest soils of Eastern and Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

“…These microbes produce an abundant quantity of enzymes that act synergistically to break complex molecules in the biosphere. 61 In the present study, the three predominant microbial genera Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Aspergillus, which are responsible for lignocellulosic biomass degradation, were identified.…”

On the production cost of lignocellulose‐degrading enzymes

“…The microorganisms most commonly used for producing cellulases, in both industrial and academic settings, are filamentous fungi of the genus Trichoderma, particularly T. reesei. 7,8,11,45,46 Trichoderma fungi can secrete high levels of cellulase cocktails while using a variety of cellulosic materials as carbon sources, such as agri-food wastes, 47 streams from the pulp and paper industry, 48 and domestic wastewater. 49 In fact, substrate characteristics have been recognized as an important factor affecting not only enzyme titers but also the composition of the enzymatic cocktail produced by T. reesei, as recently reviewed.…”