Improvements in titer, productivity, and yield using Solka-floc for cellulase production.

Researchers studying cellulase enzymes for the economical production of fuel ethanol envision cellulose as the carbon source. However, submerged Trichoderma reesei cultures grown on cellulose exhibit high run-to-run variability. Thus, an investigation of 30 batch cellulase production experiments was instrumental in determining fermentation conditions that improved enzyme titers, yields, and productivities. Eighteen of the 30 batch experiments experienced minimal process upsets and were classified into eight groups based on agitation rate, gas sparge rate, and the use of oxygen supplementation. Comparing corn steep liquor with yeast extract/peptone also tested the effect of different sources of nitrogen in the media. Average 7-d enzyme titers were doubled from 4 to 8 FPU/mL primarily by increasing aeration.