Optimization and Mass Production of Cellulase by Aspergillus Niger and Trichoderma Viridae

Saravanakumari P¹, Sree Remya. S² and T.Bhuvaneswari^2 
1Department of Microbiology, Sree Narayana Guru College, Coimbatore, TamilNadu, India
²Department of Biotechnology, Sree Narayana Guru College, Coimbatore, TamilNadu, India

Abstract
Carboxymethyl cellulase (CMC) is an efficient cellulolytic enzyme required in larger scales in industries. Fungi have the ability to secrete large amount of extracellular protein, the characteristics of certain fungi and such strains are most suited for production of extracellular cellulases. Isolation of fungi from higher termite soil and mass production of cellulase were the primary concern of the study. Eight different fungi were isolated and by screening Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viridae showing maximum zone of clearance of 10mm on CMC agar plate were selected. Concentration of fungal CMCase, extracellular protein released is estimated as 870µg/ml and 560µg/ml by A. niger and T.viridae respectively. Optimization of p^H and temperature for enzyme activity were carried out for A. niger and T. viridae and showed maximum of 0.96 OD and 0.86 OD respectively at p^H 4. When incubation period was increased, enzyme production also increased. Temperature maximum for CMCase activity by A. niger and T. viridae recorded at 30°C showed OD value of 1.99 and 1.40, up to 60°C, CMCase activity was not much affected. Cellulase enzyme production using the locally available lignocellulosic waste substrates (cotton, newspaper, sugarcane baggase, saw dust, coconut husk and ground nut shell) were measured. These substrates were pretreated, after inoculation by isolates and incubation, endoglucanase assay was performed to record which substrate has more carboxymethyl cellulase activity. Sawdust media inoculated with A. niger and T. viridae showed minimum value of 0.36 OD. Groundnut shell medium showed maximum activities of 1.98 OD by A. niger and T. viridae. So, easily available, cheap groundnut shell medium recommended for mass production of CMCase.
Keywords: Cellulase mass production, ground nut medium, fungal enzyme, optimum condition