Enhanced production of cellulose degrading CMCase by newly isolated strain of Aspergillus versicolor

• New strain Aspergillus versicolor was isolated for maximum production of cellulose degrading enzyme.
• Cellulose degradation was performed using agar plate method.
• Variation of a single parameter at a time method was used in CMC containing medium.
• Aspergillus versicolor showed maximum production of CMCase at 30 °C.

Production of CMCase from newly isolated strain of Aspergillus versicolor was studied by optimizing different physico-chemical parameters. Cellulolytic potential of the isolate was confirmed by the simple agar plate method and then subjected to variation of a single parameter at a time in CMC containing medium. Maximum enzyme production was obtained at 30 °C in 120 h when medium was supplemented with 0.5 gm% carboxymethyl cellulose, 0.2 gm% Tween 80, 0.075 gm% peptone, 0.050 gm% CaCl2, 1.5 gm% NaNO3 and 0.2 gm% KH2PO4 at pH 4.0. Current study holds great potential as the organism reported here could easily be used for the production of cellulase using renewable biomass.