Bioprocessing of enhanced cellulase production from a mutant of Trichoderma asperellum RCK2011 and its application in hydrolysis of cellulose

A mutant strain of Trichoderma asperellum RCK2011 was developed through UV-irradiation for enhanced cellulase production and lower catabolite repression. The production of FPase, CMCase and beta-glucosidase was optimized under solid state fermentation; up to 20 mM of glucose did not inhibit cellulase production. The mutant strain T. asperellum SR1-7 produced FPase (2.2 IU/gds), CMCase (13.2 IU/gds), and b-glucosidase (9.2 IU/gds) under optimized conditions, which is, 1.4, 1.3, 1.5-fold higher than the wild type. The wild as well as mutant strain produced the cellulases at pH range, 4.0-10.0. Saccharification of pretreated corn cob, wheat straw, and sugarcane bagasse by cellulase from mutant strain SR1-7 resulted in release of reducing sugar at the rate of 530.0 mg/g, 290.0 mg/g, and 335.0 mg/g of substrate, respectively; this is 1.6-fold higher than the wild type strain. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.