African Journal of Biochemistry Research Vol. 1 (4), 048-053, September 2007          
© 2007 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Xylanase production by Penicillium chrysogenum (PCL501) fermented on cellulosic wastes

Okafor, U. A.¹, Emezue, T. N.¹, Okochi, V. I. ¹, Onyegeme-Okerenta, B. M. ¹ and Nwodo-Chinedu, S.² *

¹Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, PMB 12003 Idiaraba, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria.
²Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, KM 10 Idiroko Road, Canaan Land, PMB 1023 Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: sncresearch@yahoo.com. Tel: +234-(0)802- 862-6605

.Accepted 20^th August, 2007

Abstract

Xylanase production by Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501, newly isolated from wood-wastes, was monitored at 24 h intervals for a period 168 h in media containing four different carbon sources (oat-spelt xylan, wheat bran, sawdust, and sugarcane pulp). The highest xylanase activity of 6.47 Units mL^-1 was obtained at 96 h in media containing wheat bran whereas media containing sugarcane pulp gave a peak value of 1.39 Units mL^-1 at 144 h. Sawdust and xylan gave a peak xylanase activity of 1.35 and 0.79 Units mL^-1 respectively at 120 h. Maximum protein released in xylan-containing media was 0.38 mg mL^-1. Higher protein yield was obtained in media containing the agro-wastes, with wheat bran giving the highest value of 1.14 mg mL^-1. The maximum specific xylanase activities were 2.59, 8.52, 16.06, and 9.36 Units mg Protein ^-1 for sawdust, sugarcane pulp, wheat bran and xylan respectively. Out of the three agro-wastes used in this study, wheat bran holds the greatest promise for cost-effective production of the xylanase enzyme. The carbon source is the highest inducer of the enzyme in the fungus.     

Key words: Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501, agro-wastes, wheat bran, sawdust, sugarcane pulp, xylanase.