TITLE:
Production of Cellulase and Xylanase by Aspergillus terreus KJ829487 Using Cassava Peels as Subtrates
AUTHORS:
Afolake Atinuke Olanbiwoninu, Sunday Ayodele Odunfa
KEYWORDS:
Cassava Peels, Aspergillus terreus, Cellulase, Xylanase, Lignocelluloses, Fermentable Sugars
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Microbiology,
Vol.6 No.7,
June
22,
2016
ABSTRACT: Cassava (Manihot
esculenta, Crantz) is one of the most important food plants in West Africa.
Its peels are made up of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. This
lignocellulolytic biomass can be converted using microbial enzymes to
fermentable sugars which have wide range of biotechnological relevance in many
fermentation processes. The aim of this study is to screen filamentous fungi
from decaying cassava peels that are good producers of xylanases and
cellulases. Decaying parts of cassava peels were obtained and brought to the
laboratory for further work. Fungi were isolated, identified and screened for
cellulase and xylanase production. Isolate with highest frequency of occurrence
and enzyme production was identified using phenotypic and molecular method.
Optimisation of growth conditions for enzymes production was monitored using
the DNSA method, also saccharification of cassava peel were carried out using
the enzymes obtained from the isolate. Aspergillus terreus KJ829487 was the predominant fungus. It produces
cellulases and xylanases optimally at 40°C, pH 6 and 8, utilising
carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or xylose and yeast extracts as its carbon and
nitrogen sources respectively. Saccharification of the peels yielded 584 mg/L
glucose, 78 mg/L xylose and 66 mg/L rhamnose. Aspergillus terreus KJ829487 obtained from cassava peels have the
ability to produce high concentration cellulases and xylanases which
effectively hydrolysed the lignocelluloses’ biomass to fermentable sugars.