Cellulase is a prerequisite for the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass, but its high cost presents the biggest challenge. In this article, low-cost mixture was produced from glucose through the transglycosylation reaction catalyzed by beta-glucosidase for cellulase overproduction by Trichodema reesei RUT C30. As a result, cellulase titer of 90.3 FPU/mL, which was more than 10 folds of that achieved with lactose as inducer, was achieved at 144 h. Meanwhile, cellulase productivity was drastically increased to 627.1 FPU/L/h, at least 3-5 folds higher than previously reported by the fungal species. The crude enzyme was further tested by hydrolyzing NaOH-pretreated corn stover with 15% solid loading, and 96.6 g/L glucose was released with 92.6% sugar yield at 96 h and 44.8 g/L ethanol was obtained. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.