Comparative Study of Cellulase Production Using Submerged and Solid-State Fermentation

Cellulases are an important category of enzymes, comprising three enzyme activities, namely endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, and β-glucosidase. Cellulase has numerous applications in different industrial sectors, including agriculture, textiles, food, biofuels, biorefineries, and bioconversions. Cellulase production for biofuels and the biorefinery industry has received a major focus in recent decades and the market for cellulase is expected to grow further. To meet the worldwide demands for the upcoming biorefinery and biofuel plants, major breakthroughs in cellulase production technologies are needed. This chapter starts with an introduction to the structure of the substrate of cellulases, that is, cellulose, and mechanism of cellulase action. The chapter mainly deals with advancements in two cellulase production technologies: solid-state and submerged fermentation. Both these methodologies are compared on the basis of technologies, bioreactors used, advantages, and disadvantages. Toward the end of this chapter, recent developments in cellulase production technologies are discussed.