Cellulase and single cell protein production by aspergillus niger

ABSTRACT

The potentiality of 4 isolates of Aspergillus niger, to produce cellulolytic enzymes and single cell protein [SCP] has been studied under static culture conditions using 5 different agricultural and agro industrial cellulosic wastes as a carbon source. Isolate No 1 was selected as the most potent for cellulase and SCP production on using beet pulp. Cellulase activities and SCP production of this isolate were found to be influenced by the type and the age of the fungal culture. Best results were maintained after 4 days using the shaked culture. The beet pulp was pretreated in different manners to increase the cellulase and SCP production by the selected isolate. Milling, as a physical treatment, rendered the beet pulp sample more productive for cellulolytic enzymes and SCP. The cellulase and SCP production were also tested using initially adjusted pH as well as buffered media. Maximal CMCase and FPase activities [0.561 and 0.293 unit/ml respectively] and the highest protein yield [35.7%] with maximum conversion efficiency [55.6%] were obtained at pH 6.0 with the phosphate buffer giving better results as compared with the acetate buffer