PROTEASE PRODUCTION BY PENICILLIUM SP. LCJ228 UNDER SOLID STATE FERMENTATION USING GROUNDNUT OILCAKE AS SUBSTRATE

Life Sciences-Biology

Abstract

The production of alkaline protease by Penicillium sp. LCJ228 was studied under solid state fermentation. Oilcakes such as groundnut oilcake, mahua oilcake, sesame oilcake, cotton seed oilcake and coconut oilcake were used as substrates. The best substrate for maximum protease production was found to be groundnut oilcake  and  a  high  protease  activity  was  observed  on  the  6th   day  of  growth.  The  effect  of  medium components and culture conditions for maximizing protease production was investigated by one factor at a time method. Glucose (20 g/L) was found to be the best carbon source for maximum protease production. Yeast extract (15 g/L) was found to be the best nitrogen source and casein (5 g/L) was a suitable inducer. A pH value of 9.0, an inoculum size of 2 g/kg solid substrate and a moisture content of 80% were optimal for maximum  protease  production.  After  optimization  of  conditions,  a  2.2  fold  increase  in  the  protease production was observed. The study proved that Penicillium sp. LCJ228 was able to produce a very high level of protease under SSF using inexpensive oilcakes.