Abstract
This paper explores the possibility of using an industrially processed municipal solid waste (MSW) for cellulase enzyme production via solid state fermentation (SSF) by Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus niger. Both fungi grew well on the MSW substrate and production of cellulase enzymes was optimized for temperature, moisture content, inoculation and period of incubation. The effect of additional minerals, and alternative carbon and nitrogen sources were also examined. Following optimization a cellulase activity of 26.10 ± 3.09 FPU/g could be produced using T. reesei at 30°C with a moisture content of 60% with an inoculums of 0.5 million spores/g and incubation for 168 hours. Addition of extra nitrogen and/or carbon did not improve cellulase accumulation. Acid or alkali pretreatment of MSW led to reduced cellulase production. Crude enzymes produced from MSW by T. reesei were evaluated for their ability to release glucose from MSW. A cellulose hydrolysis yield of 24.7% was achieved, which was close to that obtained using a commercial enzyme. Results demonstrated that MSW can be used as an inexpensive lignocellulosic material for the production of cellulase enzymes.
Highlights
Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is one of the key topics in environmental protection [1]
The results showed that the MSW contained significant levels of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin
The cellulose content of the MSW (27.8 g/100 g) was similar to that reported by Barlaz et al and Jones et al [25,26], which were 28.8 and 25.6 g/100 g, respectively
Summary
Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is one of the key topics in environmental protection [1]. The current technologies for MSW treatment are incineration, landfill, composting and anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic conversion of MSW into biogas has attracted growing interest as a promising method to reduce environmental impact and to generate renewable fuel at the same time. Some MSW contain over 50% lignocellulosic content [3] and anaerobic digestion may not represent the most efficient process. One alternatively approach is to hydrolyze the lignocellulosic component in the MSW into simple sugars and ferment these sugars into ethanol. It was estimated that around 152 L of ethanol could be generated from a ton of processed MSW [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
