Optimization of Valorization of Biodegradable Kitchen Waste Biomass for Production of Fungal Cellulase System by Statistical Modeling

The present study employs the use of combinatorial statistical approach for the optimization of media components for the enhanced production of complete cellulase system by Aspergillus niger C-5. Kitchen waste residue, a biodegradable fraction of municipal solid waste was used as a substrate for growth and production of complete fungal cellulase system under solid state fermentation conditions. A total of 23 media components affecting cellulase yields were first statistically screened employing a 2-level Plackett-Burman design model. Response surface methodology (RSM) was then used to optimize the concentration of most significant factors including tryptone, SDS, NH4Cl and NaCl affecting cellulase yields. The concentrations of four medium components that led to the maximum production of complete cellulase system as optimized using RSM were tryptone, 400 mg; SDS, 0.60 mg; NH4Cl, 2.5 mg; NaCl 1.50 mg/5 g of dry substrate. The optimization of medium components by combinatorial statistical approach led to the fine tuning of cellulase production thereby enhancing the activities of all components viz CMCase, FPase and β-glucosidase by 2.04, 1.58, 1.74 folds respectively exhibiting the highest yields of 110, 19 and 66 U/g dry substrate.