This study concerns in-house development of cellulases fromamutant Penicillium janthinellum EMS-UV-8
and its application in separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and simultaneous saccharification and
fermentation (SSF) processes for bioethanol production from pre-treated wheat straw. In a 5 L fermentor,
the above strain could produce cellulases having activity of 3.1 FPU/mL and a specific activity of
0.83 FPU/mg of protein. In-house developed cellulase worked more efficiently in case of SSF as ethanol
concentration of 21.6 g/L and yield of 54.4% were obtained which were higher in comparison to SHF
(ethanol concentration 12 g/L and 30.2% yield). This enzyme preparation when compared with commer-
cial cellulase for hydrolysis of pre-treated wheat straw was found competitive. This study demonstrates
that P. janthinellum EMS-UV-8 is a potential fungus for future large-scale production of cellulases