SOLID-STATE FERMENTATION OF SOYHULL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CELLULASE

Soyhull a lignocellulosic material produced in large amounts during so ybean processing, was utilized for cellulase production through solid- state fermentation. Of five known fungi, Phanerochaete chrysosporium g ave maximum yields of the enzyme. Optimum pH of the substrate and temp erature of incubation were 4 . 0 and 25 degrees C. Under optimized con ditions, the addition of urea at 2% (w/w) could enhance the enzyme yie lds to 74 . 8 IU/gram dry solids (CMCase) and 29 . 1 IU/gds (FPase) fr om the initial values of 27 . 5 IU/gds (CMCase) and 12 . 2 IU/gds (FPa se). The optimum size of the inoculum was 1 . 0 x 10(4) viable spores/ gds.