| Abstract: | Trichoderma reesei QM 9414 was grown in batch fermentation on wheat straw pretreated by different methods as the sole carbon source. Cellulase production was maximal with NaOH treated wheat straw at a concentration of 10 g/l and an initial pH of 5.5. The addition of fresh straw produced an elongation of the exponential phase or the beginning of a new exponential phase when the additions were carried out at 50 and 120 h, respectively. Filter paper and carboxymethylcellulase activities decreased as an answer to the addition of wheat straw and the levels were regained at the end of fermentation. The decreases of activities were accompanied by the increases of soluble sugar levels, which decreased at the end of fermentation. β-glucosidase activity was stimulated by wheat straw addition at 50 h while not by addition at 120 h; however, at the end of the fermentation the levels of activities were both similar to control. The studies of pH stabilities of these enzymes allow assurance that the effect of the addition of wheat straw on the enzyme activities is not produced by the changes of the pH during the fermentation. |
