Optimization of cellulase production by aspergillus NigerITBCC L74 with bagasse as substrate using response surface methodology

Abstract

Cellulase is a very important enzyme for lignocelluloses based ethanol production. Bagasse contains mainly cellulose (57.76%), hemicellulose (12.44%), lignin (21.34%), and others (7.96%). Lignocellulosic material has been considered as the good option for cellulase production because it is cheap and already available in a huge amount. The objective of this research was to produce cellulase enzyme and to optimize it by using response surface methodology. The bagasse with water content of 80% was incubated with 2 ml inoculum of Aspergillus niger ITBCC L74 in a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask. After reaching the specified time the enzyme was extracted and then determined for its activity. Effect of process parameters such as pH, urea and MgCl 2 addition were studied. The optimal cellulase activity was achieved at urea concentration of 4.5% (w/w), MgCl 2 concentration of 1 mM and pH of 3.5, with maximum enzyme activity was 0.630 U/gr.