Agaricus blazei as a Substrate for the Production of beta-1,3-Glucanase by Trichoderma harzianum Rifai

Abstract

Extracellular beta-1,3-glucanase was produced by Trichoderma harzianum Rifai cultivated in the Agaricus blazei (Agaricus brasiliensis) extract as a substrate in submerged fermentation. A 2(2)-central composite factorial design was developed using the time of culture (x(1)/day) and Agaricus blazei extract concentration (x(2)/(g/L)) as variables, and the results were analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that the Agaricus blazei extract concentration was the most important variable in the production of beta-1,3-glucanase, and the maximum beta-1,3-glucanase activity (0.77 U/mL) was obtained in one day of cultivation. The beta-glucan present in the cell wall of Agaricus blazei mushroom proved to be a good substrate for inducing the production of specific beta-1,3-glucanase by Trichoderma harzianum Rifai.