POTENTIAL USE OF AGRICULTURAL WASTES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LIPASE BY ASPERGILLUS MELLEUS UNDER SOLID STATE FERMENTATION

Lipases are well known among the extensively used biocatalysts, because they have the ability to catalyze several remarkable reactions in aqueous and non-aqueous media like esterification and transesterification. The present study explores the production of lipase by Aspergillus melleus under solid-state fermentation (SSF). Screening of different agricultural wastes such as rice bran, wheat bran, canola seed oil cake, sunflower hulls and peanut shells was carried out and canola seed oil cake was selected as best substrate due to highest lipase activity. Various process parameters like initial pH of basal media, moisture content, incubation time, inoculum size, incubation temperature and substrate levels were optimized for lipase production. Effect of various carbon and nitrogen sources was also studied. Maximum lipase activity (684.02 U/gds) was observed after 96 h of reaction in the fermentation medium with initial pH 4.0; canola seed oil cake 10 g; moisture contents 60 % and olive oil 3% as inducer using at 30 degrees C. The characteristics of isolated lipase (alkaline) indicated that this enzyme could be used in soaps and detergents manufacturing industries.