Performance of β-Glucosidase produced by Ganoderma lucidum using Waste Substrate as Carbon Source

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) was used for the production of β-glucosidase by Ganoderma lucidum in submerged fermentation. The activity of β-glucosidase had shown an improvement by going from pH 4 to 6 and declined towards alkaline pH. The highest activity (47.75 U/mL) was obtained at pH 6 with 2.0 mm size of substrate’s particle. The smaller the particles size, the higher surface area of substrate which provides more space for hyphae to colonize. Optimum substrate concentration was obtained at 6.0 g/L (43.99 U/mL). The highest β-glucosidase activity occurred at 27 ºC (53.37 U/mL). The nutrient content in composted OPEFB provides a relevant reason that should be considered in the performance of high activity β-glucosidase enzyme. Therefore, the results of this study can be used to produce high activity β-glucosidase using cheap and economical substrate (compost OPEFB).