Protease production by Rhizopus oligosporus in solid-state fermentation

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Enzyme Production

Background:

• Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a viable method for microbial enzyme production.
• Rhizopus oligosporus is known for its ability to produce various enzymes, including proteases.
• Optimizing SSF conditions is crucial for maximizing enzyme yields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal substrate and conditions for protease production by Rhizopus oligosporus.
• To evaluate different inoculum preparation methods for large-scale enzyme production.

Main Methods:

• Solid-state fermentation of Rhizopus oligosporus ACM 145F using various proteinaceous substrates.
• Optimization of initial moisture content and fermentation time.
• Assessment of different inoculum preparation techniques and densities.

Main Results:

• Rice bran was identified as the superior substrate for protease production.
• Maximum protease yield was achieved at 72 hours of fermentation with 47% initial moisture content (a w=0.97).
• Dried, ground, and resuspended fermented rice was the most practical inoculum preparation for scale-up.

Conclusions:

• Rhizopus oligosporus demonstrates significant protease production potential using rice bran in SSF.
• Specific fermentation parameters and inoculum preparation methods are key to maximizing protease yield.
• The findings provide valuable insights for industrial enzyme production.