Cellulase production by fermentation with trichoderma viride on cellulose and wood wastes

Cellulase production by the fungus Trichoderma viride QM 6a and the use of this cellulase for cellulose hydrolysis were studied using Solka Floc cellulose and waste wood (oak) as substrates. The fermentation produced higher enzyme concentration solutions with media containing additional amounts of soy peptone and KH2PO4. The kinetics of fermentation in fermentors and shake flasks of Solka Floc and sawdust were investigated, and equations were selected to express the relationship of the rates of growth and enzyme production with cell mass, enzyme concentration and substrate remaining in the media. Agitation and aeration decrease the enzyme activity with time. Sawdust treated by grinding and with NaOH was used both in the fermentation with T. viride and in hydrolysis. The results in fermentation appeared to be almost equivalent to Solka Floc. Hydrolysis of sawdust produced only 50% as much glucose as Solka Floc and further improvements in hydrolysis are needed --Abstract, page iii