45 samples were collected from various sources (soil, degraded wood and
mushroom compost) from three cities (Damascus, Homs and Lattakia). 18
Trichoderma isolates were isolated and identified by microscope. These isolates
were screened using CMC m
edium with Congo red dy to identify their ability
to produce cellulase complex. The amount of enzyme production was
determined depending on the radius of clear zone around the colony. Results
showed that the most productive isolate was Tr with radius 7 ± 0.2 cm followed
by Tg and Ti. Optimization of cellulase production was performed using
response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal parameters were:
temperature 29.5 ˚C, pH = 6، incubation time 4 days, aeration speed 175 rpm
and wheat straw concentration 3%. All studied parameters had significant
effect on cellulase enzyme activity.
