Production of cellulase complex by Trichoderma reesei rut-C30 on lignocellulose and its hydrolytic potential

• Published in: Biomass 1982-01, Vol.2 (2), p.127-137
• Main Authors: Chahal, D.S., McGuire, S., Pikor, H., Noble, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cellulase; Iotech process; lignocellulose; nonfood plant products; Trichoderma reesei
• ISSN: 0144-4565; 1878-2523
• DOI: 10.1016/0144-4565(82)90022-1

Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30 grew well on glucose with apparent specific growth rates of 0·16 h −1 and 0·12 h −1, on Mandels' and Vogel's media, respectively. Similar specific growth rates (0·15 h −1 and 0·11 h −1) were recorded when grown on pure cellulose. This organism produced 0·30 IU/ml cellulase activity on 1% glucose. The activity increased to approximately 1 IU/ml when 1% cellulose was used as the sole carbon source. Cellulase activity further increased to 3·5 IU/ml and a productivity of 37·2 IU/litre/h with a pure cellulose concentration of 2·5%. A cellulase activity of 1·0 IU/ml was obtained on 1% cellulose from 56V, a lignocellulosic material produced by the Iotech process. When the concentration of 56V was increased to 2·5% cellulose, no growth was seen because of an increase in toxic and/or inhibitory compounds associated with an increase in substrate concentration. However, a high cellulase activity of 3·7 IU/ml and a productivity of 37·0 IU/litre/h was obtained on 56 V when the toxic and/or inhibitory compounds were removed by water washing. This proves that 56V is as good a substrate as pure cellulose for enzyme production. The enzyme produced with water-washed 56V gave about 89% of the theoretical yield of glucose on hydrolysis of whole or delignified 56V.