Valorization of Date Molasses and Municipal Solid Waste for the Production of Cellulases by Trichoderma reesei Al-K1 149 in a Tray Reactor

The main aim of this study is to utilize municipal solid waste (MSW) and date molasses as a culture medium to reduce the production cost of enzymes. A novel cellulase-producing fungus, Trichoderma reesei Al-K1 149, was isolated from the date molasses. MSW and date molasses were processed and used as the substrate (1:1 ratio) in solid-state fermentation. The proximate composition of the substrate revealed that the MSW was enriched with cellulostic material and contributed about 33% of the available biomass. Elements such as Ca, K, S, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Na were found in the MSW. Fungal cellulase production was at its maximum after 96 h of incubation with the yields of β-glucanase (98 ± 3.9 U/gds), carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) (241 ± 12.8 U/gds), and filter paperase (FPase) (31.2 ± 3.1 U/gds). The combination of municipal solid waste and date molasses was found to be the best source of nitrogen and carbon for the biosynthesis of cellulase by T. reesei Al-K1 149. The optimal temperature and moisture content of the medium for cellulase production by T. reesei Al-K1 149 were 40 °C and 60%, respectively. The optimal pH and inoculum were 6.0 and 8% (v/w), respectively. The optimized culture condition was used to produce cellulases in a laboratory-scale tray reactor, and enzyme production was enhanced twofold compared to the unoptimized medium. The cellulolytic ability was tested in biomass saccharification with various plant materials (palm sawdust, palm leaves, palm fruit waste, and filter paper) and saccharified plant materials effectively. These findings revealed that the enzymes secreted by strain Al-K1 149 may have significant value for the industrial saccharification process.