Cellulase Production of Trichoderma reesei Rut C 30

TLDR: In this paper, the cellulase production of a filamentous fungi, Trichoderma reesei Rut C 30, was examined on carbon sources obtained after steam pretreatment of spruce.

Abstract: Various techniques are available for the conversion of lignocellulosics to fuel ethanol. During the last decade processes based on enzymatic hydroly­ sis of cellulose have been investigated more extensively, showing good yield on both hardwood and softwood. The cellulase production of a filamentous fungi, Trichoderma reesei Rut C 30, was examined on carbon sources obtained after steam pretreatment of spruce. These materials were washed fibrous steam-pretreated spruce (SPS), and hemicellulose hydrolysate. The hemicel­ lulose hydrolysate contained, besides water-soluble carbohydrates, lignin and sugar degradation products, which were formed during the pretreat­ ment and proved to be inhibitory to microorganisms. Experiments were performed in a 4-L laboratory fermentor. The hydrolytic capacity of the pro­ duced enzyme solutions was compared with two commercially available enzyme preparations, Celluclast and Iogen Cellulase, on SPS, washed SPS, and Solka Floc cellulose powder. There was no significant difference among the different enzymes produced by T. reesei Rut C 30. However, the conver­ sion of cellulose using these enzymes was higher than that obtained with Iogen or Celluclast cellulases using steam-pretreated spruce as substrate. Index Entries: Cellulase production; steam-pretreated spruce; enzymatic capacity of cellulases; filter paper activity measurement; Trichoderma.