Pilot-scale production of cellulase using Trichoderma reesei rut C-30 in fed-batch mode

Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30 produced high levels of beta -glucosidase, endo-beta -1,4-glucanase, and exo-beta -1,4-glucanase. In pilot-scale production (50-1 fermenter), productivity and yield of CMCase (carborymethyl cellulose) and FPase (filter paper activity) were 273 U/ml and 35 U/ml, and 162 FPU/I h and 437 FPU/g, respectively. The fed-batch techniques were used to improve enzyme activities with constant cell concentration. The acidity was an important parameter and controlled at pH 3.9 and 5.0 by automatic addition of ammonium hydroxide. Cellulase powder was prepared by ammonium sulfate precipitation and its CMCase and FPase activities were 3,631 U/g and 407 U/g, respectively.