Department of Biotechnology, Sanghvi Institute of Management and Science, Indore, India

Fifteen (15) fungal species were screened on the basis of clearing zone formation on CMC enriched agar plates. Submerged fermentation using sugarcane bagasse as carbon source was alsodone with 15 fungal species to identify strain that could produce highest amount of cellulose at a pH of 6.5 and at 28 ± 2°C temperature.  Growth was determined in terms of mycelial dry weight which ranged between 0.63 to 0.19 mg/ml among different fungal species. The amount of soluble protein was also determined which ranged between 0.63 to 0.19mg/ml. The cellulose activity of the fifteen isolates ranged from 0.41 to 0.20 U/ml while the highest production and activity of cellulase (0.41 U/ml) was shown by Aspergillussp SA6. A CCD design was applied to optimize the process parameters that significantly affect cellulase production. pH, Substrate concentration, inoculum size and agitation speed were identified as important process parameters affecting cellulase enzyme synthesis. The results were as follows: the optimal concentrations of inoculumsize for production of CMCasewere 2.5%(v/w) , pH 7.0, agitation at the rate of 150 rpm and asubstrate concentration of 2% was found optimal for production of CMCase.

Keywords: cellulase; submerged fermentation; sugarcane bagasse; optimization; Aspergillus