Solid-state fermentation of soyhull for the production of cellulase

Soyhull, a lignocellulosic material produced in large amounts during soybean processing, was utilized for cellulase production through solid-state fermentation. Of five known fungi, Phanerochaete chrysosporium gave maximum yields of the enzyme. Optimum pH of the substrate and temperature of incubation were 4•0 and 25°C. Under optimized conditions, the addition of urea at 2% (w/w) could enhance the enzyme yields to 74•8 IU/gram dry solids (CMCase) and 29•1 IU/gds (FPase) from the initial values of 27•5 IU/gds (CMCase) and 12•2 IU/gds (FPase). The optimum size of the inoculum was 1•0 × 104 viable spores/gds.