Production and Optimization of Cellulolytic Enzymes from Trichoderma Isolates under Solid State Fermenta

Agricultural wastes were used as sole carbon sources for the production of cellulase by Trichoderma isolates in solid state fermentation (SSF). The study aimed to identify and optimize the potential agricultural wastes for cellulase production by Trichoderma isolates under SSF. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and Congo Red were used to screen four isolates that had stronger ability to produce cellulase for further study. Cellulase production was assayed by measuring the amount of glucose liberated in μmol/ml/min by using the dinitrosalisalic acid (DNS) assay method at 540 nm. Maximum cellulase was recorded between 5-11 days incubation. The experiment found that wheat bran, Rice bran and wheat straw were comparatively better for high cellulase production whereas cotton seed, coffee pulp and barely bran relatively showed the least cellulase production in SSF. Trichoderma isolates, AUT1 produce the highest carboxymethyl cellulase on wheat straw (5.68 U/g), AUT5 on rice bran (8.15 U/g), AUT2 and AUT4 on wheat bran, their enzymatic activities were 4.92 U/g and 7.01 U/g, respectively. However, the isolate AUT5 gave the highest carboxymethyl cellulase (8.15 U/g) on rice bran whereas isolate AUT2 produce the least this enzyme on cotton seed (1.02 U/g). The maximum amount of cellulase was observed between 55% to 65% moisture contents. It is evident from the present study agricultural wastes were better carbon source for the production of cellulase by Trichoderma isolates under solid state fermentation.