Variation in cellulase-constituting components from Trichoderma reesei with agitation intensity

Cellulase producing activity of Trichoderma reesei QM9414 was examined under various agitation intensities and at the dissolved oxygen concentration above 3 ppm. The producing activity greatly depended upon the agitation intensity, and the dependence on the agitation was different for each cellulase-constituting component. The maximum producing activities of FPA, CM Case, and beta-glucosidase were obtained under different agitation conditions, 1.0, 0.7, and 1.4 m/s in tip velocity, respectively. Intensive agitation brought about remarkable reduction in all cellulase components. The mycelial transformation through agitation intensity was also observed. Comparatively mild agitation of 0.3-1.0 m/s caused pellet formation as the culture progressed, although the pelletization was delayed with increasing agitation intensity. The behavior of the pelletization did not occur at 1.3 and 1.7 m/s throughout the course of cultivation, and under the latter agitation condition hyphae were broken up into short fragments. The cellulase producing activity is discussed in relation to such morphological changes.