African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (10), pp. 819-822, 16 May 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of acid hydrolysis of Garcinia kola (bitter kola) pulp waste on the production of CM-cellulase and β-glucosidase using Aspergillus niger

Caritas U. Okafoagu¹ and Humphrey C. Nzelibe²*

¹National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, Kaduna Area   Laboratory, Kaduna, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: zeechuks@yahoo.com. Tel: +2348036005184.

Accepted 21 February, 2006

Abstract

Effect of acid hydrolysis of bitter kola (Garcinia kola) pulp wastes on the production of CM-cellulase and β-glucosidase using Aspergillus niger was investigated. Hydrolysis for 3 h with 2.5 M sulphuric acid yielded highest fermentable sugar. Acid hydrolysis enhanced CM-cellulase and β-glucosidase levels by 500% at 96 h and 200% at 120 h, respectively. Acid hydrolysed G. kola pulp wastes is a better substrate for the production of CM-cellulase and β-glucosidase compared with maize and rice husks.

Key words: Bitter kola pulp wastes, CM-cellulase, β-glucosidase, Aspergillus niger, acid hydrolysis.