International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 4, Issue 6, June-2013 1965 ISSN 2229-5518 IJSER © 2013 http://www.ijser.org CELLULASE PRODUCTION BY ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS AND SACCHARIFICATION OF WHEAT STRAW Swati Pandit 1, Kapil Lawrence 1, Anupama Singh1 , Sangya Singh1 and Reena Lawrence2 [1] Department of Biochemistry and Biochemical Engineering, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Sciences and Technology, Allahabad. [2] Department of Chemistry, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Sciences and Technology, Allahabad. FPase:Filter paper assay, CMCase : Carboxymethyl cellulase assay , DNS : Dinitrosalicylic acid, PDA : Potato dextrose agar , h: hour/s Abstract: Cellulase production from fungal sources is utilized in the processing of lignocellulosic biomass for production of alternative fuels. Biomass selection is an important consideration in commercial production of cellulase. Wheat straw is a cheap and readily available substrate with potential for bioconversion. The production of cellulase using wheat straw as substrate and subsequently saccharification was investigated in this study. Rapid production of cellulase viz. FPase & CMCase derived from Aspergillus flavus was observed. Maximum activity of FPase 167 IU/g and CMCase 415IU/g was obtained after 96h of incubation with cellulose as co- substrate and pH 4.5. Highest saccharification yield was with 25gL -1 (72%) substrate though higher concentration of wheat straw inhibited enzyme activity. The study suggests that production of cellulase from Aspergillus flavus using low cost wheat straw as substrate can be an alternative for large scale low cost enzyme production. Key words: Cellulases, Lignocellulosic biomass, bioconversion, saccharification Introduction: Waste lignocellulosic biomass is considered as one of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuels for the production of biofuels and other useful chemicals. In bio-conversion of cellulosic material into biofuels cellulases are a perquisite.Agro-industrial wastes being rich in carbohydrates and other vital nutrients are considered promising substrates for culturing fungi used in production of cellulases. Cellulases are glycosyl hydrolases (GH) and play an important role however; the major obstacle for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol is their production cost [1]. A great deal of effort has been made to screen and develop cellulases with high enzymatic activity, stability and low production costs. Efficient cellulose hydrolysis requires the cooperative action of endoglucanases (EC.3.2.1.4) which hydrolyze the cellulose polymer internally, exposing reducing and non- reducing ends and exoglucanases or cellobiohydrolase (EC. 3.2.1.91) which act on the reducing and non-reducing ends, releasing cellobiose and cellooligosaccharides. The cellulose hydrolysis process culminates through the action of β-glucosidase (EC. 3.2.1.21) which cleaves cellobiose, liberating two molecules of glucose. [2] Solid-state fermentation resembles the natural environment of the fungi and has tremendous potential for the production of hydrolytic enzymes. The use of low cost wastes as substrates helps to reduce the cost of the enzymes for which raw material translates into 40–60% of the production cost [3]. Various agro-industrial wastes have been Corresponding Author: Swati Pandit, Research Scholar Deptt., Biochemistry & Biochemical Engineering, SHIATS (Formally k/a Allahabad Agriculture Institute- Deemed University) IJSER