Evaluation of the use of raw glycerol in biomass production by Trichoderma reesei QM9414

Background Biodiesel has emerged as a energy, environmental and social solution proposal. However, there are some technical challenges that need to be solved, for example, use of the by-product of biodiesel production, crude glycerol (CG). To avoid future problems caused by the accumulation of CG and simultaneously make biodiesel production more competitive, the search for the most viable alternatives to the use of this waste has been proposed. The CG can be the raw material for the synthesis of products with high added value, obtained through biochemical conversion (fermentation routes) [1-3]. The biomass of Trichoderma is considered an excellent biological control agent for pest and disease pathogens in plants and is promising alternative to conventional chemical control [4,5]. Thus, the aim of this study was to preliminarily evaluate the use of CG in biomass production of Trichoderma reesei QM9414 by submerged fermentation.