SOLID SUBSTRATE FERMENTATION OF COCONUT COIR PITH FOR CELLULASE PRODUCTION

Coconut pith, available in abundance, especially in tropical countries, can be an excellent new substrate for the production of cellulase enzyme by solid substrate cultivation of Trichoderma viride NCIM 1051. The effect of type of pretreatment, type and level of nutrient medium, inoculum volume, average substrate particle size, and time of fermentation on cellulase enzyme production by T. viride in coconut pith solid culture was studied. The hydrogen peroxide-pretreated coconut pith was found to be a better substrate. Reese and Mandels' mineral solution mired with coconut pith in the ratio of 10:1 (v/w; ml g(-1)) supported maximum cellulase activity. The effect of inoculum volume on enzyme production was only marginal. An average substrate particle size of 375 mu m resulted in better enzyme production. The highest filter paper activity and carboxymethylcellulase activities of 4.27 and 12.05 IU g(-1) respectively were obtained in 7 days of fermentation, and the maximum cellobiase activity that could be obtained was 1.8 IU g(-1) in 8 days.