Abstract

A mixture of two microorganisms was used as starter culture, with the aims of producing cellulose from fermented cassava roots. Cellulase yields of 430 IU/g were recorded in solid-state fermentation of cassava starch with mixed culture of Lactobacillus plantarumand Rhyzopus oryzae, isolated from cassava dried chips. High cellulase activity (8.6 IU/ml) per unit volume of enzyme broth and high yields of cellulases were obtained and attributed to the growth of both strains on cellulose fraction of cassava roots. In Solid State Fermentation with Starter mix-culture (SSFS), fermentation retting was completed in two days, and significant softening was noticed. No significant softening was evidence in Solid State Sterile Fermentation (SSSF) and Liquid state fermentation (LSF).

Keywords: Cassava, cellulases, Lactobacillus plantarum, Rhyzopus oryzae, solid state fermentation, liquid state fermentation.