Improvement of Fungal Cellulase Production by Solid State Fermentation

Cellulase production studies have been carried out using the fungal strains Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Aspergillus terreus by using two different lignocellulosic materials for solid state fermentation (SSF). The effect of basic fermentation parameters (substrate, moisture content and the fermentation time) on enzyme production was studied. Maximum cellulase production (FPA and endoglucanase) of Trichoderma longibrachiatum were 33.83 U/gds and 167.4 U/gds, respectively, which represented a 1.75 fold improved activities than that of Aspergillus terreus (21.5 U/gds and 95.82 U/gds, respectively) using wheat bran as substrate. The optimal conditions for cellulase production with wheat bran were found to be: initial moisture content 70% and the optimal incubation time for production was three days. The endoglucanase of Trichoderma longibrachiatum was thermostable and showed a half-life of 1 hour at 70°C, while the filter paper activity (APF) lost its total activity after 1 hour at 70°C. Results indicate the scope for further optimization of the production conditions to obtain higher cellulase titres using the Trichoderma longibrachiatum strain under SSF.