SOLID-STATE FERMENTATION OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC WASTE FOR CELLULASE AND BETA-GLUCOSIDASE PRODUCTION BY COCULTIVATION OF ASPERGILLUS-ELLIPTICUS AND ASPERGILLUS-FUMIGATUS

Lignocellulosic wastes available in abundance can be excellent substra tes for the production of cellulase and beta-glucosidase enzymes by so lid state fermentation (SSF). A cellulase system, showing enhanced hyd rolytic potential and beta-glucosidase under SSF, was obtained by cocu ltivation of Aspergillus ellipticus and Aspergillus fumigatus. Differe nt types of substrates and various pretreatments were used to improve hydrolytic process. Among the various substrates examined, sugarcane b agasse gave the highest activity and 2% calcium hydroxide treatment wa s found to be the most favorable treatment for the enzyme production. The maximum enzyme production was obtained on the eighth day of the fe rmentation process.