Statistical analysis of xylanase production from solid state fermentation of rice husk associated fungus Aspergillus niger

Rice husk is one of the highly potential lignocellulosic wastes that can be utilized as substrate for the production of xylanase by solid state fermentation. Xylanase enzymes have gained importance in industrial because of their various applications in bio-processing of fabrics, bio-bleaching of pulp, waste paper recycling, and bioconversion. For xylanase production, since rice husk usage as a substrate was not extensively studied as much as wheat bran, this preliminary feasibility study needed to be undertaken. The aim of the present study is to investigate the production of xylanase from solid state fermentation of rice husk associated fungus Aspergillus niger using Full Factorial Design. Three parameters to be observed in this study are temperature, size of inoculum and moisture content. Effect of parameters and interaction were analysed using normal plot, pareto chart, residual plot, main effect, interaction plot, contour plot and surface plot. From the result, it was found that the interaction between the factors are significant and the optimum production of enzyme which is 8 U/ml obtained at 7.5 Petri dish of inoculum and 40% moisture content with 25 degrees C as a hold value. The result of xylanase optimization from this study is potential to be applied in palm oil mill effluent (POME) pre-treatment. The parameters tested are chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total solid (TS) with 10% dilution of xylanase enzyme to POME and were digested for 6 days. Result from the study indicated that xylanase enzyme was able to reduce 84% COD and 78% TS from POME. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.