African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (5), pp. 472-476, 1 March 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Nutrient effects on production of cellulolytic enzymes by Aspergillus niger

Narasimha G¹, Sridevi A¹, Buddolla Viswanath², Subhosh Chandra M², Rajasekhar Reddy B²*

²Department of Microbiology, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur-515 003. Andhra Pradesh, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: rajasekhar_bontha@yahoo.com. Phone: 91 (08554)  255759, 255760 (O).

Present Address: 1 National P.G. College, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Accepted 25 August, 2005

The production of cellulase (filter paper activity, endoglucanase and β-glucosidase) by Aspergillus niger on three media in liquid shake culture was compared. The culture filtrate of this organism exhibited relatively highest activity of all three enzymes and extracellular protein content at 7-day interval during the course of its growth on Czapek-Dox medium supplemented with 1.0% (w/v) cellulose. Urea as a nitrogen source and pH 5.0 were found to be optimal for growth and cellulase production by A.niger. Among various soluble organic carbon sources and lignocelluloses tested in this study, carboxymethylcellulose and sawdust at 1% supported maximum production of all three enzymes by A. niger.

Key words: Aspergillus niger, cellulase activity, nutrients, β-glucosidase.