Abstract
The production of cellulase enzyme using an economical medium has been a significant achievement in the field of industrial biotechnology. Cellulase enzyme activity of Trichoderma viride FCBP–142 and its mutant derivatives, Tv-UV-5.6 and Tv-Ch-4.3 was evaluated by growing them on different substrates at different incubation temperatures, initial pH levels, incubation periods and nitrogen sources. Optimization growth assays illustrated 2% wheat straw, 4.0 pH, 72 hours of incubation period and ammonium sulfate as nitrogen supplement for the best enzymatic activity by all the test strains. The suitable temperature for the best mycelial growth and enzyme activity was 30 C for each of T. viride FCBP–142 and Tv-UV-5.6, and 32.5 C for Tv-Ch-4.3. Mass production of selected test strains indicated the aptness of wheat straw for rapid fungal proliferation and viability under optimized conditions. Stability of mutants concerning the best cellulase activity potential, evaluated up to 10 generations, revealed that Tv-UV-5.6 and TvCh-4.3 were highly stable for enzymatic activity under pre-optimized conditions.
