Trichoderma Enzymes for Food Industries

Trichoderma spp. are fungi that are present in nearly all soils and other diverse habitats. These are highly efficient producers of many extracellular enzymes. They are used commercially for production of cellulases and other enzymes that degrade complex polysaccharides. They are frequently used in the food and textile industries for these purposes. For example, cellulases from these fungi are used in "biostoning" of denim fabrics to give rise to the soft, whitened fabric-stone-washed denim. The enzymes are also used in poultry feed to increase the digestibility of hemicelluloses from barley or other crops. This book chapter provides the properties, production, and applications of Trichoderma enzymes within food industry.