Utilization of agricultural residues for enhancement of cellulolytic enzyme production and enzymatic saccharification by Trichoderma harzianum KUC1716

•Barley straw was an effective inducer for cellulolytic enzymes production by Trichoderma hazianum.•The statistical optimization of medium components enhanced cellulolytic enzymes production.•The fungal enzymes effectively hydrolyzed various types of agricultural residues.•The fungal enzymes exhibited a significant hydrolysis yield compared to a commercial enzyme.

Agricultural residues are a potentially economical and eco-friendly source for second-generation ethanol production. In the present study, efficient cellulolytic enzyme production was studied using agricultural residues as a carbon source. Four types of agricultural residues were evaluated as carbon sources for Trichoderma harzianum KUC1716. Barley straw was identified as the optimal carbon source for the fungus such that the highest enzyme activity occurred in these cultures compared to cultures that used empty fruit bunches (EFB), miscanthus, or rice straw sources. T. harzianum KUC1716 produced high levels of filter paperase (FPase) and cellobiohydrolase (CBH) under optimized medium conditions when a central composite design and response surface methodology were used. Furthermore, T. harzianum KUC1716 fungal enzymes exhibited a significant hydrolysis yield for various types of agricultural residues compared to a commercial enzyme. Our study demonstrates that utilization of agricultural residues for both enzyme production and enzymatic saccharification will contribute to an increase in economical and eco-friendly production of biofuels and bio-based products.