Abstract

The production of extracellular amylase was studied in solid state fermentation byPenicillium janthinellum (NCIM 4960) using wheat bran as a solid substrate. The physical and chemical parameters influencing SSF were optimized. The maximum enzyme activity obtained was 300 U/gds under optimum conditions of pH 5.0, an incubation temperature of 35°C, maltose (1% w/w) as carbon source, (NH₄)₂SO₄ - (0.2% w/w) as nitrogen source, particle size (425 - 500 µ), incubation time (96 h), moisture content (60%), and surfactant (Tween-80, 0.05% w/w).

Key words: Extracellular, amylase, Penicillium janthinellum, optimization, soil, fermentation.