SCREENING AND OPTIMIZATION OF CULTURE CONDITIONS FOR CELLULASE PRODUCTION BY ASPERGILLUS NIGER NSPR012 IN SUBMERGED FERMENTATION

This study aimed at screening of selected fungal strains and optimization of process parameters for cellulases production in submerged fermentation. Aspergillus niger NSPR012 was selected for further studies as the most potent in producing cellulase of high activity. Utilization of various agro-wastes as substitute tocarboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) for cellulase production was also investigated. Among tested carbon sources, banana peels at a concentration of 5% was found to be the most effective carbon source. The cellulase production by Aspergillus niger NSPR012 in mineral salt medium attained maximum after 96 h of incubation. Maximum cellulase activity (0.466 mu mol/min/mL) was obtained with locust beans as the best organic nitrogen source. The optimum incubation temperature and initial pH were 37 degrees C and 5.5, respectively. With this information, banana peels could have good biotechnological potential for bioproducts formation in which cellulase is one.