PRODUCTION OF CELLULASES BY TRICHODERMA-REESEI QM-9414 IN FED-BATCH AND CONTINUOUS-FLOW CULTURE WITH CELL RECYCLE

The scope in improving enzyme productivities from the cellulose fermentation process is examined in laboratory‐scale fermentors. The maximum productivity (30 IU/liter hr) is attained in a continuous‐culture process with cell recycle using modified medium containing 0.5% cellulose. Optimum dilution rate and recycle ratio are determined as 0.025 hr−1 and 1.2, respectively, for the process. The system is analyzed and steady‐state equations for predicting enzyme protein concentrations in the fermentor are developed. In fed‐batch cultures, slow addition of cellulose at high concentrations can improve enzyme productivity by as much as 33% over a batch process. The scope and results of using modified medium for cellulase production are also presented. Copyright © 1979 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.