Abstract:
Cellulase and protein production by Chaetomium cellulolyticum grown on rice straw has
been reported in this study. The crude protein content of biomass increased by the growth of
fungus on medium supplemented with pretreated rice straw. The pretreatment includes reaction
with 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% (w/w) NaOH levels followed by steam pressure treatment (SPT) at 1.5
kg/cm for 15,30 and 60 min. Ext racellu la rCMCase activity also increased significantly in medium
suplemented with prelreated rice straw samples. Pretreatment of NaOH accompanied by steam
pressure had very little effect on total sugar, reducing sugar and total lipid content of mycelium.
Hence pretreated rice straw can be safely used by organism without having any adverse effect on
its biochemical composition.
