Abstract

The present research work highlights the isolation and screening of newly isolated potent fungal strain as Aspergillus niger RKJP under solid state fermentation for production of cellulase enzyme consisting of all the three components endoglucanase, cellobiohydrase &  glucosidase. Further the studies were undertaken on the optimization of physiological and nutritional culture conditions in respect of pH , incubation time, temperature and moisture ratio (solid: liquid) for production of higher activity of cellulase enzyme consisting of endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase &  glucosidase in synergistic ratio for complete saccharification of pretreated rice straw to fermentable sugars. Among various carbon & nitrogen sources used, wheat bran and peptone yielded higher cellulase enzyme activity. Supplementation of surfactants such as Tween- 80 with wheat bran further enhanced the production of components endoglucanase (30.14 IU/gds),  glucosidase (61.24IU/gds) and cellobiohydrase (6.13IU/gds). The cellulase enzyme thus produced was evaluated for saccharification of pretreated rice straw. The results were highly encouraging while achieving a saccharification efficiency of more than 85%.