Activatory effects of manganese and cobalt Ions on the activity of cellulase produced by Aspergillus niger

Abstract

Cellulase is an enzyme with wide industrial applications, however the optimization of its activity by metal ions has not been fully characterised. In this study, the effect of interaction of Mn2+ and Co2+ on the activity of cellulase produced by Aspergillus niger using submerged fermentation process was investigated. Cellulase activity was determined by measuring the concentration of glucose produced from the hydrolysis of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) catalysed by the enzyme. Both Mn2+ and Co2+ (0.2-10 mM) activated cellulase-catalysed hydrolysis of CMC with optimal concentrations at 8 mM and 1 mM respectively. Synergistic interaction between Mn2+ and Co2+ promoted hydrolysis of CMC by cellulase with optimal activation at 8 mM Mn2+ and 1 mM Co2+. This study revealed that the activity of cellulase produced by Aspergillus niger can be optimized in the presence of optimal concentrations of Mn2+ and Co2+ for its various applications.