Optimisation of solid state fermentation of potato peel for the production of cellulolytic enzymes

This paper analyses the effects of water content, temperature and time on the kinetic activity of cellulolytic enzymes produced during the solid state fermentation of potato peel, using Aspergillus niger. Three main analytical steps - analysis of variance, regression analysis and plotting of response surface - were performed to obtain an optimum condition for enzymatic activity. The statistical results indicated that the best activity time for enzyme CMCase (carboxymethylcellulase) is 82.88 h, with water content of 51.48% and temperature of 29.46 degrees C; for FPase (filter paperase), the best activity time is 80.62 h, water content of 50.19% and temperature at 30.00 degrees C; for xylanase, time is 81.92 h, water content is 50.72% and temperature is 28.85 degrees C. Pareto charts have shown that all variables were significant in enzymatic activity for CMCase and xylanase. On the other hand. FPase shows that time and temperature have significant effect for this response variable. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.