Nutrient effects on production of cellulolytic enzymes by Aspergillus niger

Abstract

The production of cellulase (filter paper activity, endoglucanase and )-glucosidase) by Aspergillus niger on three media in liquid shake culture was compared. The culture filtrate of this organism exhibited relatively highest activity of all three enzymes and extracellular protein content at 7-day interval during the course of its growth on Czapek-Dox medium supplemented with 1.0% (w/v) cellulose. Urea as a nitrogen source and pH 5.0 were found to be optimal for growth and cellulase production by A.niger. Among various soluble organic carbon sources and lignocelluloses tested in this study, carboxymethylcellulose and sawdust at 1% supported maximum production of all three enzymes by A.niger.

Keywords: Aspergillus niger, cellulase activity, nutrients, 6-glucosidase