Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei), its function, industrial uses, and reproduction
Dec 21, 2022
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Trichoderma reesei comes under the fungi group and which is a mesophilic and filamentous fungus. A mesophilic organism or a mesophile is an organism that can grow only within a moderate temperature range between 20 degrees to 40 degrees celsius i.e it grows only at a moderate temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold, Usually it has been seen that the most optimum temperature for the growth of Trichoderma Reesei is 37 degrees Celsius. The natural habitat (i.e the place where it grows naturally) of this fungus is known to be the tropical rain forest where the temperature remains moderate throughout the year.
Trichoderma reesei is an anamorph of another fungus Hypocrea jeocrina.
“The unique feature of Trichoderma reesei is that it can secrete a large amount of cellulotic enzymes, which are basically cellulases and hemicellulases.” (Cellulases and Hemicellulases are enzymes that are produced chiefly by fungi, bacteria, and protozoans which catalyze cellulolysis, i.e, the decomposition of cellulose and some polysaccharides.)
These microbial cellulases are very important to mankind as they serve a major role in industrial applications helping in the conversion of cellulose, (which is an important and major component of plant biomass), into glucose.
Before we discuss more about Trichoderma reesei, let’s first see in short as what is Trichoderma.
Trichoderma is a genus of fungi group that is found in many types of soils, where very commonly they are present as culturable fungi. Fungi that belong to Trichoderma are used as successful plant growth enhancers, biofertilizers, biostimulants, or as very effective biocontrol agents which work against various pathogens for healthy plant growth.
How do Trichoderma works?
Trichoderma as it is a cultured fungus, so as soon as it got close to contact with the soil the fungus starts to get culture, and hence cultures around the roots of a rooted plant on that field. After which all the pathogens present in the soil can not able to come and culture around the roots. So basically Trichoderma acts as a protection shield for any plant from the pathogens present in the soil.
So to protect your crops and plants, make sure to sprinkle Trichoderma biofertilizer over the field before sewing your seeds there for healthy plant and crop growth as after your crops will grow and if some pathogens like Fusarium, Sclarotenia, Pithium, Sclarotium Fitopthora, Rhizoctonia, etc would attack later, then it will become very difficult to treat the crops after that, this is why it is always recommended to sprinkle Trichoderma around the field before sewing the seeds.
Trichoderma reesei strain is not harmful to humans and their health, i.e it is non-pathogenic for humans, they are also very helpful for plants production as it is used as a biofertilizer for plant growth again various plant pathogens, however, it is seen that excessive use of it has some low to medium hazards to the environment.
As it is helpful for the plants like above mentioned as a biofertilizer that protects the plants against various pathogens, but apart from that, the very unique thing about this fungi is that even in the absence of any pathogens, you can still make use of Trichoderma reesei, as, this fungus grows best within the acidic soil thus later secretes various organic acids, which plays a very important role in improving the overall plant health.
Other than as a plant biofertilizer it is also safely used in huge industrial-scale enzyme production, as the enzymes cellulases and xylanases are used in food, textile, animal feeds, pharmaceutical companies, pulp, and paper industries, and in other various places.
“Trichoderma reesei isolate QM6a was originally isolated from Soloman Islands during World War 2 because of the degradation of canvas and clothes by the US Military, which later got isolated and named Trichoderma reesei. “
Due to its unique cellulase production ability, T. reesei is excessively used for commercial and industrial purposes. All strains of this fungus are currently being used in biotechnology and in the basic research labs that were originally obtained from its isolation during World War second. several industrially useful strains have been developed since then namely Rut-C30, RL-P37, and MCG-80, etc, with prominence on increasing cellulase production on an industrial basis.
These industrial programs consist of mutagenesis (which is usually ionizing radiation and chemical-based) which, let a strain capable of generating at least 20 times more cellulase enzyme as QM6a, in compassion to their natural cellulase production ability.
T.reesei is also used in the making of stonewashed jeans as the cellulose it produces partially degrades the material of cotton at various places, thus ending up making the original cotton soft
When it comes to its texture.
T.reesei strain RUT-C30, one more Trichoderma strain which is a filamentous fungus is used widely in protein secretion with a very high yield than normal, this strain has the ability to let this much protein secretion and grows well in a simple yet low-cost media, this ability makes this strain unique on its own.
Trichoderma reproduction
Trichoderma reproduced asexually, and it was believed to reproduce asexually since it got isolated for the first time around fifty years back, but after having this much research and discovery of various other strains it is seen that the strain T. reesei QM6a do obtain fertilized stromata and also mature ascospores, thus giving evidence that this strain does reproduce sexually, thus, this sexual crossing approach opens the debate of how other strains too can be sexually active.
FAQ
Q- What is Trichoderma?
Ans- Trichoderma is a genus of fungi group that is found in many types of soils, where very commonly they are present as culturable fungi. Fungi that belong to Trichoderma are used as successful plant growth enhancers, biofertilizers, biostimulants, or as very effective biocontrol agents which work against various pathogens for healthy plant growth.
Q- What is Trichoderma reesei?
Ans- Trichoderma reesei comes under the fungi group and which is a mesophilic and filamentous fungus. A mesophilic organism or a mesophile is an organism that can grow only within a moderate temperature range between 20 degrees to 40 degrees Celsius.
Q- Name the strain of Trichoderma which secretes protein.
Ans- T. reesei strain RUT-C30, secretes protein.