Copra waste — A novel substrate for solid-state fermentation

Solid-state fermentations were carried out to evaluate the feasibility of copra waste being used as a solid substrate for production of glucoamylase enzyme by Aspergillus niger NCIM 1245. The waste supported mould growth and enzyme activity, and under optimised conditions enzyme units as high as 194 IU/g dry fermented substrate were produced when fermentation was carried out for 96 h at 30 + 1°C with an initial substrate pH and moisture of 4•5–4•7 and 65%, respectively. Addition of inorganic nitrogen enhanced the enzyme yields without affecting dry matter loss significantly.