Production of cellulase by an Endophytic Aspergillus sp, using Cauliflower stalk as substrate

Abstract

Agricultural and industrial wastes are among the major causes of environmental pollution. Their conversion to useful products may ameliorate the problems they cause. In this study, Cauliflower stalk commonly discarded as waste material was used as a substrate for the production of cellulase, an important enzyme involved in the breakdown of organic wastes. Endophytic Aspergillus sp. isolated from Adathoda beddomei was found to be capable of producing cellulase with appreciable activity using cauliflower stalk as substrate. The effect of time on biomass production, cellulase activity as studied by FPA and CMC assay indicated that the growth as well as the cellulase activity increased gradually upto 6 days, after which they have started to decrease.