Secretome characteristics of pelletized Trichoderma reesei and cellulase production

Trichoderma reesei is an important cellulase producer and its secondary mycelial phase is responsible for cellulase expression and secretion in submerged fermentation. Little is known regarding the effects of fungal morphology on cellulase production by Trichoderma sp. In this study we aimed to extend the understanding of cellulase production by T. reesei, especially correlating cellulase productivity with pellet morphology and with its secretome characteristics. We found that T. reesei was more likely to form pellets in malt extract broth than in potato dextrose broth. CaCO(3) helped in formation of fine pellets in malt extract broth. 10(9) spores/ml resulted in formation of pellets with the size of 0.13 ± 0.047 mm. LC/MS spectrometry analysis indicated that the secretomes from pellet was different from that of mycelial mat under the same fermentation conditions. Optimization tests showed that lactose, xylose and Pluronic F68 are important for efficient production of cellulases with FPU activity in the pellets fermentation. This is the first report on the artificial formation of pellets by Trichoderma sp. as well as correlation between physiological characteristic of the pellets and cellulase production by T. reesei. The findings from this study can be used for improvement of cellulase productivity.