Production of cellulase by a newly isolated strain of Aspergillus sydowii and its optimization under submerged fermentation

The present work deals with the production of cellulase under submerged fermentation. A newly isolated strain was isolated from Indore, India and was found to be a potential cellulase producer. The isolate was identified as Aspergillus sydowii on basis of 18S ribosomal DNA sequencing. The medium for cellulase production was optimized using response surface methodology and the predicted and verification value showed a difference of only 8.3% validating the fitness of model. The filter paper activity (1.33 IU/ml), endoglucanase (1.32 IU/ml), exoglucanase (3.99 IU/ml) and β-glucosidase (cellobiase – 9.24 IU/ml) were maximum on 6th day under SmF using 10% (v/v) inoculum with 0.1% Tween-20 at 40 °C, pH 5.5 and 120 rpm. The ratio of endoglucanase, exoglucanase and β-glucosidase produced under optimized conditions was 9:27:64. The FPA:Cb ratio of 1:7.1 indicated a high potential of enzyme for saccharification. Amongst various carbon sources used lactose was found to have an induction effect on cellulase production.

► Identification of the new isolate as Aspergillus sydowii by 18S rDNA sequencing.
► Cellulase production by A. sydowii under submerged fermentation.
► Optimization of medium by response surface methodology.
► Optimization of physical and chemical parameters for cellulase production.