Cellulase production by T. reesei

Steam-pretreated willow has been found to be a suitable substrate for ethanol production in Sweden. The production of Trichoderma reesei cellulases on steam-pretreated willow (SPW) of varying cellulose content has been studied. Batch fermentations were performed in shake flasks, and in 4- and 22-l fermenters. SPW was found to be a suitable carbon source for cellulase production. At an initial solids concentration corresponding to 10 g/l cellulose, the yield was 108 filter paper units (FPU)/g cellulose after 3 days in the 22-l fermenter. However, the yield was below 100 FPU/g cellulose in the shake flasks and 4-l fermenter. The solid residue of enzymatically hydrolysed SPW was found to be nearly as good a substrate as SPW, although the cellulose content was as low as 20% in this hydrolysis residue. Using delignified SPW, the yield of cellulases was low, indicating that lignin does not inhibit cellulase production. By applying a pressure of 1.7 bar in the fermenter, the initial fermentation rate was increased. The productivity was increased from 12.2 FPU/l/h to 16.7 FPU/l/h, due to the higher level of dissolved oxygen at the higher pressure.