Statistical Optimization of Cellulase Production from Bacillus sp. JS14 by Solid Substrate Fermentation (SSF)

The aim of this work was to isolate the potent bacterial strains for the production of cellulase enzyme.
The enzymes hydrolyze cellulose to glucose, which can be used for production of ethanol, organic
acids and other chemicals. The total 30 bacterial isolates showed positive results for the cellulase
production but highest enzyme activity was shown by isolate JS 14. From the morphological and
biochemical reactions, the isolate was identified as Bacillus sp. Cellulase production was studied by
this strain using response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite design (CCD) quadratic
response surface was applied to explicate the parameters that significantly affected enzyme
production in solid substrate fermentation (SSF). The wheat bran concentration and incubation
period were significant factors for enzyme production. The optimized process parameters with
response surface methodology for enzyme production was wheat bran concentration 400 g/L;
pH, 6.5; temperature, 40°C and incubation period 5 days when inoculum 10% (1x107 cells/ ml)
was used. Supplementation of lactose and CMC to the wheat bran medium favored the enzyme
formation.