ENZYMIC HYDROLYSIS OF COMMON CELLULOSIC WASTES BY CELLULASE

Abstract

Under optimum conditions, the unconcentrated filtrate of Trichoderma viride QM 9414 showed a considerable cellulolytic activity against newspaper yellow and cardboard which were preferentially attacked by the enzyme. The percentage conversion was 46.6 and 42.2 in 24hr, respectively. The alkali treatment resulted in increased degradation of sugar cane bagasse from 7 to 48.1% (24-hr treatment with enzyme) and to 70% (48-hr treatment with enzyme). The bagasse hydrolyzate was found by chromatography to contain mainly glucose, xylose, arabinose, cellobiose, and unidentified saccharides. The hydrolyzate, when enriched with urea and yeast extract, supported good growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida tropicalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus casei, and Rhizobium meliloti.