Optimization of alkaline cellulase production by the marine-derived fungus Chaetomium sp. using agricultural and industrial wastes as substrates

Chinnarjan Ravindran, Thangiah Naveenan, Govindaswamy R. Varatharajan
2010 Botanica Marina  
Alkaline cellulases were screened from the fifty four fungal isolates obtained from mangrove leaves and mangrove wood litters as endophytes and wood litter fungi respectively. Only three fungal isolates tested positive for alkaline cellulases under plate assay, among which Chaetomium sp. (NIOCC 36) was found to grow in a wide range of pH (between 4 to 12). This alkaline tolerant fungi was further tested for the production of alkaline cellulases (β-endoglucanase, β-exoglucanase, β-glucosidase),
more » ... sing agricultural and industrial wastes as substrates in the submerged (SMF) and solid state fermentation (SSF) processes. Cotton seed under SSF condition showed maximum enzyme production at high alkaline pH. The results revealed that cellulase enzymes produced under alkaline cotton seed SSF condition had high stability and activity than the non alkaline conditions used at pH 5, 7, 12 and at 50 °C. The agricultural and industrial wastes used as carbon sources were economical during commercial production of cellulose. The high specific activity, and stability of cellulases under neutral to alkaline pH and high temperature will be of use in various industrial and biotechnological applications.
doi:10.1515/bot.2010.026 fatcat:jqqped6m6jbelm5cqpnk2egtn4