Enhanced production of xylanase by a newly isolated Aspergillus terreus under solid state fermentation using palm industrial waste: A statistical optimization

Xylanase production by a newly isolated Aspergillus terreus MTCC 8661 was optimized using palm fiber in solid state fermentation (SSF). Different fermentation parameters such as incubation temperature, moisture content, medium pH, particle size, incubation time, inoculum, xylose and sodium nitrate concentrations were investigated at the individual and interactive level by the Taguchi methodology. All selected fermentation parameters influenced xylanase production. Moisture content, incubation time and inoculum concentration were the major [∼85%] influential parameters on xylanase production at the individual level. At the interactive level, inoculum concentration was important and accounted for more than 50% of the severity index with particle size and incubation temperature. Xylanase production improved from 41,000 to 115,000 U/g indicating 227% improvement after optimization suggesting that this fungal strain, A. terreus MTCC 8661, has the commercial potential for hemicellulosic enzyme production.