Li Kang1, Wei Wang2, and Y.Y. Lee2. (1) Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, 212 Ross Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, (2) Chemical Engineering Department, Auburn University, 212 Ross Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
The production of highly efficient cellulase is becoming one of the major challenges in converting lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol. In this study, the different ratio mixture of paper sludge with sulfuric acid treated corn stover was used as feedstock for cellulase production by Trichoderma Reesei RutC-30. We speculated part of ash content of sludge and lignin of acid treated corn stover was removed in the mixing process to decrease the influence of harmful factors to cell growth.The cellulase activity produced from water washed mixture was 4.0 FPU/ml which was much higher than that of acid treated sludge and water washed treated corn stover. The cellulase activity produced from sodium hydroxide washed mixture was 6.0 FPU/ml which was also much higher than that of sodium hydroxide washed treated corn stover. The production scheme proposed in this study represents an economical and efficient method for cellulase production.