Evaluation of culture conditions for cellulase production by two Trichoderma reesei mutants under solid-state fermentation conditions

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effects of fermentation parameters for cellulase production by Trichoderma reesei QM9414 and T. reesei MCG77 in solid-state fermentation using rice bran as substrate. Initial pH, moisture content and temperature were optimized using filter paper activity (FPA) as response. Statistical analysis of the results for T. reesei QM9414 showed that only moisture content had significant effect on cellulase activity and had a linear effect on enzyme activity (maximum enzyme activities were obtained at 70% moisture content). The results for T. reesei MCG77 showed that temperature and moisture content were the most significant parameters for cellulase activity. The optimum cellulase production was in the temperature range of 25–30 °C and moisture content between 55% and 70%. After the optimization, the FPA in T. reesei MCG77 was increased by 2.5 folds compared to that of T. reesei QM9414.