OPTIMIZATION OF CELLULASE PRODUCTION FROM Apergillus flavipes BY SUBMERGED AND SOLID STATE FERMENTATION

Abstract

Cellulase are important class of enzymes that has potential applications in textile, biofuel, food and feed industry. Fungi such as Aspergillus, Trichoderma are reliable sources of cellulase production. Optimisation of multiple parameters is required for efficient cellulase production in high titers in both SmF and SSF. Carbon sources such as lactose, maltose, cellulose, nitrogen sources including ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and beef extract enhance cellulase activities. Thiamine, Nicotinic acid and all metal chlorides except CuCl₂ enhanced cellulase production. Based on the one factor at a time model, optimum medium was designed which produced cellulase of 0.767 FPU/ml by SmF. Maximum CMCase, FPase activity and protein were produced at pH 4.5 at 150 rpm and with a working volume ratio (wvr) of 0.2. The production of cellulase was 4.6 fold higher than the un-optimized media. SSF is an ideal fermentation method for cellulase production by fungi. Maximum CMCase, FPase and pNPG activities were recorded at 50% moisture level, pH 5.0 and below 40 °C. Wheat bran acted as a best carbon source with higher FPase, pNPG and CMCase (5.6 IU/g, 17 IU/g and 14 IU/g carbon source) activities. A. flavipes thus acts a perfect fungal source for cellulase production both by SmF and SSF.