Characterisation of cellulases and xylanase from trichoderma virens UKM1 and its potential in oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) saccharification

A large amount of lignocellulosic waste biomass such as oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) is produced annually. Enzymes that are responsible for the degradation of lignocellulosic waste play a crucial role in converting the biomass into fermentable sugars and bio products. The aims of this work are to determine the ability of Trichoderma virens UKM1 to produce cellulases and xylanase using OPEFB as substrate in shakeflask fermentation system and to evaluate the potential of these enzymes for OPEFB saccharification. The highest enzyme activities recorded from T. virens UKM1 when 1% OPEFB used as the substrate were 0.79 U/mL for total cellulase (FPase), 53.22 U/mL for endoglucanase (CMCase), 6.5 U/mL for exoglucanase, 0.97 U/mL for β-glucosidase and 254.12 U/mL for xylanase. FPase, CMCase and exoglucanase exhibited their maximum activities at day two incubation, while xylanase and β-glucosidase activities were the highest at day six and seven, respectively. The enzymes obtained from this fungus were then used to hydrolyse OPEFB. The highest glucose production of 1.1 g/L was achieved when 5% OPEFB (w/v) was hydrolysed with 20 FPU enzyme units and with the addition of β-glucosidase (4 U/g OPEFB) for 24 h. These findings suggest that T. virens UKM1 is a potential cellulase producer for saccharification of OPEFB into simple sugars. In addition, OPEFB can be used as a cheap substrate for the production of hydrolytic enzymes from T. virens UKM1. © Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2017.