MECHANISM OF SOLID PARTICLE DEGRADATION BY ASPERGILLUS-NIGER IN SOLID-STATE FERMENTATION

Substrate (wheat bran) particle degradation studies were conducted in solid state fermentation employing Aspergillus niger CFTRI 1105. Chang es in the substrate weight and variations in the microscopic appearanc e of the particle were made during the course of fermentation. The seq uential release of extracellular enzymes by the fungus recorded at dif ferent fermentation times. The maximum reduction in size and total wei ght of the substrate particle and the release of all the major hydroly tic enzymes were observed after 36 h of fermentation. A mathematical m odel was proposed for the degradation of the substrate particles durin g fermentation. Model predictions coincide with the experimental obser vations of the extent of reduction in particle size.