Cellulase enzyme production by various fungal strains on different carbon sources

In the process of making ethanol from lignocellulosics, enzyme production is still the most crucial and costly step. Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30 is the best known cellulase producer. This fungus is very good in endo- and exoglucanase production, however, the amount of β-glucosidase excreted is not sufficient for hydrolysis. In addition, T. reesei Rut C-30 is sensitive to inhibitors generated during steam-pretreatment of wood. In the present study, two good cellulase producers were selected from 16 fungal strains and investigated regarding filter paper activity (FPU) and β-glucosidase activity using inexpensive lignocellulosic carbon sources for cultivation. T. reesei Rut C-30 proved to be a good cellulase producer, resulting in a maximum FPU of 1.39 FPU ml Ś1 on washed, steam-pretreated willow, but the β-glucosidase activity was insufficient. High β-glucosidase activities were reached with T. viride OKI B1 on all substrates, with a maximum activity of 1.62 IU ml Ś1 on steam-pretreated spruce