Cellulase production by solid state fermentation on lignocellulosic waste from the xylose industry

Cellulase production was carried out by solid state fermentation using corncob residue, a lignocellulosic waste from the xylose industry, as the substrate of Trichoderma reesei ZU-02. The effects of water content, dosage of wheat bran and initial pH value in solid substrate on cellulase synthesis were studied in shallow tray fermentors. The solid substrate could be reused in at least three batches and the highest cellulase activity (158 IFPU/g koji) was obtained in the second fermentation batch. To produce cellulase on a larger scale, a deep trough fermentor with forced aeration was used and 128 IFPU/g koji (305 IFPU/g cellulose) was reached after 5 days solid state fermentation. The enzyme koji produced in the present process can be used directly to hydrolyze corncob residue effectively, when the cellulase dosage was above 20 IFPU/g substrate, the saccharification yield could be over 84%.