Standardization of Nutrient Salt Solution for Improved Production of Cellulase from C. cinerea

Different components of nutrient salt solution were optimized using one variable at a time approach for evaluating their effect on cellulase enzyme production by the fungus Coprinopsis cinerea using sugarcane bagasse as substrate. Solid state fermentation was carried out for optimizing different components of NSS medium i.e., sources of carbon, organic and inorganic nitrogen and surfactant. Ammonium sulphate in a concentration of 3 g/L was proved to be better in comparison to ammonium chloride. Surfactant Tween 80 in a concentration of 0.2 g/L was also indicated worthy enhancement in cellulase production. This fungal strain produced high cellulase (4.2 IU/mL) activity, representing 44.5% improvement in comparison to that obtained under unmodified NSS medium (2.33 IU/mL).