Production and optimization of cellulase from agricultural waste and its application in bioethanol production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to optimize production of cellulase enzyme from agricultural waste by using Aspergillus fumigatus JCF. The study also aims at the production of bioethanol using cellulase and yeast.

Design/methodology/approach

Cellulase production was carried out using modified Mandel’s medium. The optimization of the cellulase production was carried out using Plackett-Burman and Response surface methodology. Bioethanol production was carried out using simultaneous saccharification and fermentation.

Findings

Maximum cellulase production at optimized conditions was found to be 2.08 IU/ml. Cellulase was used for the saccharification of three different feed stocks, i.e. sugar cane leaves, corn cob and water hyacinth. Highest amount of reducing sugar was released was 29.1 gm/l from sugarcane leaves. Sugarcane leaves produced maximum bioethanol concentration of 9.43 g/l out of the three substrates studied for bioethanol production.

Originality/value

The present study reveals that by using the agricultural wastes, cellulase production can be economically increased thereby bioethanol production.

Citation

Cherian, E., Dharmendira Kumar, M. and Baskar, G. (2016), "Production and optimization of cellulase from agricultural waste and its application in bioethanol production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 22-35. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-07-2015-0128