STUDYING THE OPTIMUM CONDITIONS FOR CELLULASE PRODUCTION FROM WHEAT STRAW AND PAPYRUS STRAW USING TRICHODERMA VIRIDE

The cellulase production in solid state fermentation (SSF) by Trichoderma viride was investigated using wheat straw and papyrus straw as the substrate. Present study described the optimization of process parameters for the production of cellulases. The fermentation experiments were carried out in shake flasks using pretreated wheat straw and papyrus straw. Maximum production of cellulases from wheat straw (CMCase 1.62 U/ml/min) and from papyrus straw (PAPase 0.81 U/ml/min) was observed after a fermentation period of 70hrs at an incubation temperature of 30ºC. Initial pH of the culture medium was also optimized and a pH of 5.5 was found to support maximum growth and enzyme production. Different inorganic nitrogen sources were evaluated for the production of cellulases and ammonium sulphate was found to be the best. The enzyme production was further enhanced by carrying out fermentation experiments using 25 ml of culture medium in 250 ml flask inoculated with 4% inoculum.