European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PRODUCTION OF PROTEASE FROM ARTOCARPUS HETEROPHYLLUS BY ASPERGILLUS NIGAR IN SOLID STATE FERMENTATION

Praveen Kumar Dasari*

ABSTRACT

The present work deals with the optimization and production of Protease by Artocarpus heterophyllus as substrate in a solid state fermentation using microorganism Aspergillus nigar. Proteases are large group of enzymes that plays a vital role in nutritional and regulatory activities. They are essential for physiological functions in living organisms and helps in breakdown of protein food materials into amino acids, which the body can use for energy, and also play a vital role in essential processes, such as blood clotting, cell division. Solid-state fermentation is defined as a process that occurs on a non-soluble material that acts both as support and a source of nutrients, with a reduced among of water, under the action of fermenting agent. Protease enzyme production conditions like incubation time, incubation temperature, pH, inoculum level and moisture content were optimized. The fermentation time of 72hrs and the temperature of 340C, pH 5, inoculum level of 18%v/w and moisture content of 60%v/w were observed optimum for the production of Protease. Different carbon sources were screened for their influence on enzyme yield; they are glucose, sucrose, fructose and lactose used as supplements. Among these supplements sucrose gave better yield. 0.4% w/w of potassium nitrate as nitrogen source was observed optimum for the production of Protease.

Keywords: Solid-state fermentation, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Aspergillus nigar.