Protease production from Jatropha curcas using Aspergillus niger

Abstract

Protease production by Aspergillus niger under fermentation using Jatropha cake as solid substrate and the process parameters such as moisture, incubation time, and temperature were studied. Utilization of Jatropha cake as substrate was able to provide all the necessary nutrients for the growth of the fungal. Enzyme production was measured from first day until the sixth day. The incubation time has a profound effect on the enzyme yield and duration of enzyme synthesis. The study shows that the protease activity was found to be maximum on the third day of fermentation (527.80 U/g of substrate) at 35°C, pH8.0 and 75% substrate moisture. A rapid decline of protease yield will be measured by increasing the fermentation days. Use of Jatropha cake as raw material for enzyme production could be of great commercial significance due to cheaper cost and abundant availability.