PRODUCTION OF CELLULOLYTIC ENZYMES BY Gelatoporia subvermispora USING DIFFERENT SUBSTRATES

Abstract In this study the solid-state fermentation for production of cellulolytic enzymes by the fungus Gelatoporia subvermispora was optimized. The enzyme activities on filter paper, exo-cellulase, endo-cellulase and xylanase were determined. A Plackett-Burman design (PB) was used to determine the most significant variables (moisture content of substrate, inoculum density, corn steep liquor concentration, pH and peptone concentration) in the enzyme production for each substrate (sugarcane bagasse, sewage sludge and rice straw). The highest value for filter paper activity was obtained using sugarcane bagasse as substrate. The sewage sludge was an excellent medium for the production of xylanase and exo-cellulases. The endo-cellulase activity was similar in all substrates tested. This is the first report of the Gelatoporia genus for the production of cellulolytic enzymes, being a promising strain for this purpose.