P3: Production of β-Mannanase by local Aspergillus niger isolate using natural substrate

Sunday, August 12, 2012
Columbia Hall, Terrace Level (Washington Hilton)
Onyetugo C. Amadi, Annie N. Moneke and Gloria N. Okpala, Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
Nine (9) locally isolated fungal strains were screened to select the most potent fungus producing β-mannanase on solid media. Aspergillus niger was the most potent, producing enzyme of high activity. Utilization of various agro-industrial residues on mannanase production was evaluated. Bannana peels at a concentration of 10g/L proved an optimum natural substrate by reaching the highest β-mannanase activity of 21.30U/ml and protein content of 2.687mg/ml with soya bean meal at a concentration of 2g/L as nitrogen source. Optimum incubation temperature and pH for enzyme production were 30oC and 6.5 respectively and an inoculum size of 2x106 spores/ml. Natural substrates might be useful for production of enzyme in a commercial scale.