Vol. 7, Issue 1 (2018)

Author(s):
Neelima Kulkarni, Tejashri Vaidya and Gunjan Rathi

Abstract:
Conversion of lignocellulosic waste to sugars is important application of microbial cellulases. In the present study, nine cellulose degrading fungi isolated from soil and agricultural waste such as corn husk, banana leaves etc. were screened for cellulase production. Various parameters were optimized for efficient production of cellulase enzymes using agricultural and plant residues by solid state fermentation for the isolate Aspergillus sp. Bl1. The isolate produced 0.94 IUgds^-1 FPase and 2.2 IUgds^-1 endoglucanase (CMC ase) after 72 h incubation at 37°C in optimized medium composed of banana leaves (C- source), tryptone as N-source, mineral salt solution having pH 5 and 67% moisture content. Other optimized parameters were; inoculum size of 7.35×10⁶ spores /ml and distilled water (pH 7) as solvent for extraction of cellulases. The isolate produced 1.33 IUgds^-1 endoglucanase (CMCase) when cotton seed meal was used as N- source. Results indicate that agricultural waste such as banana leaves and cotton seed meal can be efficiently used for cellulase production by solid state fermentation using our isolate.