Optimization of Culture Conditions for the Production of Endoglucanase from Aspergillus sydowii using Corn Cobs

Endoglucanase is one of the important industrial enzymes that can be produced from various microorganisms. Aspergillus sydowii is a thermophillic fungus that was utilized for the production of endoglucanase. Present study aimed to optimize different culture conditions; temperature, incubation period, pH, moisture level and inoculum size, for maximum enzyme production using agricultural wastes. Three substrates, corn cobs, sugarcane bagasse and rice straw were used in this study. Maximum endoglucanase production was observed from corn cobs, with enzyme activity of 2.01 IU/mL/min after 96 hrs of incubation at 70% moisture level (2.71 IU/mL/min), temperature 55�C (2.98 IU/mL/min) and pH 5.5 (IU/mL/min) and 3mL inoculum size (3.15 IU/mL/min). Sugarcane bagasse and rice straw found to be poor sources with enzyme activity 1.87 IU/mL/min and 1.99 IU/mL/min respectively.