Utilization of organic fractions in municipal solid waste via Trichoderma Reesei

Abstract

The aim behind this thesis work is to test the feasibility of Trichoderma Reesei having the capacity to produce biomass in a substrate derived from organic fractions found in waste from washed municipal solid waste. Previous projects at Ostfalia Hochschule have utilized this wash water from municipal solid waste using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and have shown success in the fermentation process of this microorganism. The hypothesis explored in this thesis is can T. Reesei produce biomass in the wash water, and if so can this application be upscaled to a 75l bioreactor.

The results show that T. Reesei can successfully grow in pure wash water, while enzyme production is low without an added carbon source such as dead leaves collected from the forest bed. Parameters used in the cultivation process on a laboratory scale showed they can be transferable in upscaling methods. T. Reesei was able to produce biomass in both the 1.5l and 75l bioreactors. Despite contamination issues, T. Reesei proved to be a resilient fungus, producing mycelium in unideal conditions.