Production of Cellulase by Aspergillus niger FC-1 and its Application in Hydrolysis of Corncob Residues

In this study,the cellulase-producing ability of Aspergillusniger FC-1 through solid-state fermentation (SSF) and characteristics of the cellulase were investigated. The maximum activities of total cellulase (FPase) and endoglucanase (CMCase) were 8.2 and 31.5 IU per gram of dried substrate respectively after 96-h incubation period. The activities of both FPase and CMCase produced by Aspergillus niger FC-1 exhibited the optimal values at pH 5.5 and 50°C(as shown in Fig.2). Thermostability and pH stability of the enzymes were respectively appreciable at temperature ranging from 45°C to 55°C, pH ranging from 5.0 to 5.5. In addition, with an optimal 1:10 (w/v) substrate to moisture ratio (a cellulase loading of 8.5 FPU per cellulose), the glucose concentration was as high as 36.6 g glucose l-1 for a 48 h hydrolysis of corncob residues.