Enhanced Exoglucanase Production by Brown Rot Fungus Fomitopsis sp RCK2010 and its Application for Cellulose Saccharification

Exoglucanase production by brown rot fungus Fomitopsis sp. RCK2010 was optimized under solid-state fermentation using Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). Four fermentation variables (moisture, inoculum level, casein, and Triton X-100) were identified to effect cellulase production significantly by PBD, which were further optimized using RSM of central composite design. An overall 130 % increase in enzyme production was achieved by the optimization of variables using statistical approaches. Moreover, crude cellulase from Fomitopsis sp. RCK2010 was applied to saccharify pretreated Prosopis juliflora (cellulosic fraction), which resulted in the release of 327.35 mg/g of reducing sugars that could further be utilized for bioethanol production.