Mushroom production is the biggest solid state fermentation industry in the world. Disposal and storage
of spent mushroom compost (SMC) that remains after mushroom harvest poses a big economic and
environmental problem. Production of industrially important hydrolytic enzymes by fungi on various
agro-industrial wastes is a significant, open chapter in biotechnology. This paper proposes a novel
application of SMC as substrate for cultivation of fungi in solid state fermentation (SSF) in order to obtain
the enzymes cellulase, xylanase, amylase and b-glucosidase. SMC can be used as a good substrate for
cultivation of Trichoderma and Aspergillus without the addition of supplementary (nutritive) elements.
Starting amount of SMC was reduced by 30% due to hydrolysis by a complex of cellulolytic enzymes.
Material that is left behind is a more suitable fertilizer for horticulture. One fungal isolate was pointed
out as a promising producer (Trichoderma atroviride isolate T42). It produced the greatest amount of total
protein (0.204 mg mL1
), five isoforms of b-glucosidase and the highest level (12 isoforms) of both
endocellulase (0.76 U mL1
) and xylanase (2.31 U mL1
). The capacity of T42 to produce all examined
enzymes in such a high number of isoforms demonstrates successful adaptation to new substrates.