A study on cellulase production from a mixture of lignocellulosic wastes

Abstract

The production of cellulase with enhanced enzyme activities has been a challenge for the biofuel industries. In this work, to prove the technical feasibility of using an alternate source of cellulose for cellulase production, a novel lignocellulosic mixture of waste surgical cotton and packaging cardboard, and a cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma harzanium ATCC® 20846™ were employed. After a 9 day Solid State Fermentation (SSF), FPase activities were, 2.405 IU/mL, 3.145 IU/mL, 3.230 IU/mL for untreated, dilute acid pre-treated, and ammonia pre-treated substrate mixtures, respectively. After a 120 -h Submerged Fermentation (SMF), the enzyme activities were: FPase 1.94 IU/mL, CMCase 12.47 IU/mL, beta Glucosidases 3165.4 IU/mL, and xylanases 756.6IU/mL. The biomass yield coefficients (Yx/s, Yx/O2); Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR); maintenance coefficients (mO2); mass transfer coefficient (KLa); Oxygen Transfer Rate (OTR); the effects of viscosity and sugar accumulation, have been studied for the submerged fermentation process. A basic financial analysis has been presented.