Manannase production by co-culture of Penicillium italicum and Trichosporonoides oedocephalis in solid state fermentation

Abstract

The study evaluated various process parameters for mannanase production using co-culture of Penicillium italicum and Trichosporonoides oedocephalis under solid state fermentation. Different fermentation parameters affecting enzyme production were optimized using one-factor-at-a-time approach. Mannanase production was conducted in mineral salt medium into which copra meal (defatted coconut residual cake) had been incorporated as the sole carbon source and enzyme activity was evaluated. Maximum mannanase activity (144.444 U/mL) was obtained after 96 h of incubation in solid state fermentation. Different agro-wastes were screened as carbon sources for enzyme production in comparison to locust bean gum (control). Among tested carbon sources, orange peels proved to be the best substrate for mannanase production. Ammonium nitrate was observed to be the best nitrogen source with highest activity of 84.444 U/mL out of all the nitrogen sources screened. Also, for enzyme production the optimum temperature and percentage moisture content were 30oC and 60%, respectively.