RESUMO
Statistics based optimization, Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to screen and optimize the media components for the production of naringinase from Aspergillus brasiliensis MTCC 1344, using solid state fermentation. Cassava waste (CW) was used as both the solid support and carbon source for the growth of A. brasiliensis. Based on the positive influence of the Pareto chart obtained from PBD on naringinase activity, three media components--maltose, peptone and calcium chloride were screened. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed using these three factors at three levels, for further optimization, and the second order polynomial equation was derived, based on the experimental data. Derringer's desired function methodology showed that the concentrations of maltose (7.74 g/L), peptone (4.19 g/L) and calcium chloride (7.63 mM) were the optimal levels for maximal naringinase activity (889.91 U/mg) which were validated through experiments.