Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the optimal culture conditions for β-mannanase production by Trichosporonoides oedocephalis using cheap and easily available agro-wastes as the carbon source in solid state cultivation. The effect of process parameters like incubation time, carbon source, incubation temperature, pH, percentage moisture content and inoculum concentration were optimized for enhanced mannanase production. Maximum β-mannanase activity was observed after 96 h of incubation. Different agricultural wastes were screened as substrates for β-mannanase production in comparison with locust bean gum (LBG). Among tested carbon sources, orange peels proved to the best for β-mannanase production. Initial pH of the culture medium was also optimized and a pH of 8.0 was found to be the optimum pH value for β-mannanase production. The optimum temperature, percentage moisture content and inoculum concentration were 30°C, 60% and 1×10⁷ (spores/ml), respectively.  

Key words: Beta-mannanase, process parameters, solid state fermentation, agricultural wastes, Trichosporonoides oedocephalis.