Optimization and Scale Up of Cellulase-Free Xylanase Production in Solid State Fermentation on Wheat Bran by Cellulosimicrobium sp. MTCC 10645

The production of cellulase-free xylanase was investigated with alocally isolated and identified strain, Cellulosimicrobium sp. MTCC 10645 in solid state fermentation. Different fermentation conditions were standardised for the growth and xylanase activity, the optimum being 72 h growth at pH 7.0, cultivation temperature 40°C and substrate to moisture ratio of 1:1.8 (w/v). Among different lignocellulosic substrates wheat bran was found to be best substrate for xylanase production. The inoculum size of 10% resulted in maximum production of xylanase. The enzyme production was stimulated by the addition of yeast extract and casein. Addition of glucose, xylose and carboxy methyl cellulose repressed the production of xylanase. Under optimized conditions, xylanase production in solid state fermentation was 4,962 ± 45.08 U/gds