Enzymatic saccharification of some agro-industrial cellulosic wastes by cellulose produced from a mixed culture of Aspergillus Niger and Saccharomyces Cerevasae grown on sorghum pomace.

Abstract

Production of cellulase by mixed culture of Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisae using sorghum pomace as nutrient source was investigated. Sorghum pomace was further supplemented with mineral elements to evaluate its effect on cellulase production. All the sorghum pomace media recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher level of cellulase enzyme (2.06-4.06 units/ml) than that of carboxymethyl-cellulose medium (1.72 units/ml). Mixed culture fermentation significantly (P<0.05) enhanced higher cellulase production than mono culture media. However, mineral supplementation significantly (P<0.05) suppressed cellulase production. Cellulosic substrates were significantly (P<0.05) more susceptible to crude enzyme from sorghum pomace than that of carboxymethyl cellulose medium during saccharification. The percentage saccharification depended on both the crude enzyme source and cellulosic substrates. Optimum pH for enzyme activity, which varied from 4.0 to 6.0 depended on the media source.

Ife Journal of Science Vol.6(1) 2004: 84-87