1B-02

 

Production of Cellulase by Trichoderma reesei from Dairy Manure

 

 

Zhiyou Wen*, Wei Liao and Shulin Chen

 

 

Department of Biological System Engineering

Washington State University,

Pullman, WA 99164

Phone: (509)335-3743

Fax:  (509)335-2722

Email: zwen@wsu.edu)

 

 

 

Animal manure represents a large potential bioresource for producing bio-based chemicals. Currently, about 90% of collected manures are disposed through direct land application, which can cause severe environmental problems such as stream and groundwater contamination (from nitrate), air pollution (from ammonia), and ecological system eutrophication (from phosphorus).

 

This work provided an alternative for animal manure treatment and disposal. A cellulase production by the fungi Trichoderma reesei was studied using dairy manure as a substrate. Data showed that T. reesei RUT-C30 had higher cellulase production than T. reesei QM 9414 and that a homogenized manure, treated by a blender to reduce fiber size, led to higher cellulase production The cellulase production was further optimized by growing T. reesei RUT-C30 on homogenized manure. The effects of manure concentration, pH, and temperature on cellulase production were investigated with optimal parameter values determined to be 10 g /L manure (dry basis), 25.5 oC, and pH 5.7, respectively. Elimination of CaCl2, MgSO4, nitrogen sources (NH4+ and urea) and trace elements (Fe2+, Zn2+, Co2+ and Mn2+) from the original salt solution had no negative influence on the cellulase production, while phosphate elimination did reduce cellulase production. Based on above results, the final medium composition was simplified with manure additives being KH2PO4, tween-80 and CoCl2 only. Using this medium composition and a reaction time of 6~8 days, a maximum cellulose production activity of 1.74 IU/mL of filter paper activity, 12.22 IU/mL of CMCase activity, and 0.0978 IU/mL of b-glucosidase was obtained. This filter paper activity is the highest ever reported in cellulase production from agricultural wastes.