Wheat straw induced fungal endoglucanase production using kitchen waste-based fermentation medium

Wheat is one of the most prominent staple crops worldwide and generates a substantial amount of post-harvest waste. Straw and bran are the major post-harvest wastes of this crop, which is rich in cellulose and can be used in microbial enzymes production as one of the potential value addition applications of this waste. Microbial cellulases are in high demand as industrial enzymes due to their broad range of applications. Fungal cellulases are considered highly applied microbial enzymes, and Trichoderma viride is the most promising fungal species used by cellulase-producing industries for various applications. However, the higher cost associated with these enzymes makes them non-viable for many sustainable, eco-friendly industrial applications which can allow low cost production and application of enzymes using natural and waste biomass resources. The present study explores the promising potential of wheat straw as a promising feedstock to produce fungal cellulases using the fungus Trichoderma viride under solid-state fermentation (SSF) mode, using kitchen waste extract as a nutrient medium to maintain the fermentation moisture. Systematic physicochemical investigations have been conducted to obtain maximum production this enzyme, specifically endoglucanse (EG). At a substrate concentration of 4 g of wheat straw, nitrogen source yeast extract, and 70% moisture content maintained by kitchen waste extract, maximum 79 U/gds EG activity was recorded at a temperature of 35 °C and pH 5.5 using the fungus Trichoderma viride. However, a comparative study also shows the potential confirmation replacement of kitchen waste extract-based SSF medium and synthetic SSF medium showed no difference in the enzyme production, which may contribute to cost reduction of SSF. This work has a promising scope in the valorization of cereal crops, waste management, and sustainable allied industrial applications.