Optimization of Cellulose Production by Curvularia pallescens Isolated from Textile Effluent

Abstract

Introduction: Celluloses are important industrial enzymes and find application in several industrial processes. Effects of pH, temperature, incubation time, source of carbon and nitrogen were tested in submerged fermentation process in the production of cellulose by Curvularia pallescens isolated from textile effluent.
 Aims: The present study was attempted in a fungus; Curvularia pallescens isolated from textile effluent for maximizing its production under optimal conditions in submerged fermentation by using inexpensive substrate wheat bran.
 Study Design: The production medium was prepared in distilled water, supplemented with 4.5% wheat bran, 0.05% KCl, 0.2% KH2PO4, (carbon source), yeast extract (nitrogen source), maintained with pH of 5.5 and incubated at 28ºC for 120 h was found optimal for the production of cellulose.
 Results: The test fungus achieved maximum FPA activity followed by cellobiohydrolase, endoglucanase and β-glucosidase activity at 46.76, 42.06, 26.94 and 3.56 U/ml respectively at pH 5.5 (Fig. 4). The temperature of 280C produced maximum cellulase activity. Highest activity recorded was of FPA (38.94 U/ml), followed by cellobiohydrolase (30.29 U/ml), endoglucanase (22.41 U/ml), and β-glucosidase (3.98 U/ml). The effect of process parameters such as the effect of temperature, pH and inoculum size was investigated. Maximum cellulase and xylanase having an enzyme activity of 694.45 and 931.25 IU, respectively, were produced at 30ºC incubation temperature.
 Conclusion: The effect of process parameters such as effect of temperature, pH and inoculum size was also investigated. The production of primary metabolites by microorganisms is highly influenced by their growth, which is determined by the availability of the nutrients in the substrates.