Comparative study on optimization of cellulase production Lignocellulosic substrates using Aspergillus niger

The utilization of indigenous agro-industrial wastes for cellulase production through solid state fermentation provided a suitable and environment friendly method for disposing these wastes. The substrates sugarcane bagasse, tender coconut waste and plantain waste were used in solid state fermentation by Aspergillus niger. The cellulose content of substrates were analysed and determined that sugarcane bagasse contain lowest, plantain waste the highest and tender coconut waste as an intermediate in between them. The cellulose content of agro-industrial wastes such as Sugarcane bagasse, Tender coconut waste and Plantain waste were determined in this study and are 51.768 µg/mL, 120.008 µg/mL and 160.443 µg/mL respectively. The parameters such as incubation day, pH and temperature were optimized for cellulase production by Aspergillus niger on sugarcane bagasse, tender coconut and plantain waste in solid state fermentation. The specific activity of CMCase produced using the substrates such as sugarcane bagasse, tender coconut waste and plantain waste were determined and were 0.047 U/mg, 0.027 U/mg and 0.03 U/mg respectively.