Utility of Luffa cylindrica and Litchi chinensis peel, an agricultural waste biomass in cellulase production by Trichoderma reesei under solid state cultivation

Agricultural waste biomass represent the most abundant renewable carbon source on earth for the production of bioenergy, chemicals, enzymes and other valuable products etc. The large quantities of byproducts generated during the processing of plant food involve an economic and environmental problem due to their high volumes and disposal costs. Vegetable and fruit peels are normally thrown away as kitchen based household wastes. A comparative study has been done, using Luffa cylindrica and Litchi chinensis peel waste as carbon source for cellulase production by Trichoderma reesei. It was observed that Luffa cylindrica peel is the best solid substrate for cellulase production as compared to Litchi chinensis peel. Filter paper activity (FPase) significantly increases by incorporation of whey as well as starch hydrolysates in the basal salt media used in the production study. The utilization of economically cheap solid waste for cellulase production could be novel and cost effective approach in solid waste management.