Cellulase Production by Trichoderma koningii AS3.4262 in Solid-State Fermentation Using Lignocellulosic Waste from the Vinegar Industry

Cellulase production was carried out in solid-state fermentation using the waste from the vinegar industry as the substrate for Trichoderma koningii AS3.4262. This waste is porous and easy to degrade by cellulolytic fungi. The effects of water content, initial pH value in solid substrate and culture temperature on cellulase synthesis were observed for optimal production in flask fermentors. An orthogonal layout was employed in the statistical process and better cellulase activity was obtained in the fermentation batch. The optimal filter paper cellulase (FPAse) activity of 6.90 IU/g of substrate dry matter (SDM), and carboxylmethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity of 23.76 IU/g SDM were obtained after 84 h of incubation with media containing vinegar waste, with optimal moisture content of 50 %, pH=5.0, incubation temperature of 30 °C, and additional nutrients of inorganic salts in a certain amount. To produce cellulase on a larger scale, a deep trough fermentor with forced aeration was used, so that FPAse activity of 5.87 IU/g SDM and CMCase activity of 12.98 IU/g SDM were reached after 84 hours of solid-state fermentation. Results indicate the excellent scope of utilizing vinegar waste as solid substrate for commercial production of cellulase employing fungi.