Studies on the production and application of cellulase from Trichoderma reesei QM-9414

High yielding mutant strain, Trichoderma reesei QM-9414, was employed for t he cellulase enzyme production. Enzyme production conditions (pH, inoculum age and concentration, and organic supplements) were optimized. The ability of partially purified enzyme to hydrolyze various regionally abundant lign ocellulosic raw materials was studied. Enzymatic hydrolysis conditions (tem perature, pH, enzyme and substrate concentrations) were optimized. Temperat ure 50 degrees C, pH 4.5, enzyme concentration 40 FPU/g substrate and subst rate concentration 2.5% were found to be optimum for the maximum yields of sugars. beta-glucosidase supplementation was found to increase both the sug ar yield and hydrolysis rate, and shorten the reaction time significantly.