PRODUCTION OF ALPHA AMYLASE AND CELLULASE FROM SOLID STATE CULTURE OF ASPERGILLUS OCHRACEUS: A FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS

The growing demand and application of industrially important enzyme necessitate the need to explore new sources with diverse enzymes ranging in their specificity and activities. Enzymes are safe alternatives to chemical synthesis due to minimum side effect and ease of manufacturing. Solid state fermentation (SSF) is a cost-effective alternative to submerged fermentation with agro-residues or waste, often being used as substrate for growing diverse organisms for production of metabolites. Current study is one of the scarce report on exploring alpha amylase and cellulase production ability Aspergillus ochraceus (MTCC 1877) using wheat bran as substrate at relative humidity of 90% and at 30 ºC, for 7 days. Result showed the potential of Aspergillus ochraceus (MTCC 1877), as potential source of the two enzymes. Results revealed comparatively higher alpha amylase activity in the SSF extract of Aspergillus ochraceus (MTCC 1877) in comparison to Trichoderma longibrachiatum (ITCC 7839). On the contrary, comparatively higher cellulase activity was observed in the SSF extract of Trichoderma longibrachiatum (ITCC 7839). The results showed the potential of Aspergillus ochraceus (MTCC 1877) as a source of the two enzymes. Variation in enzymes activity may be attributed to the experimental culture conditions and may be further optimized to enhance the enzymes yield.