Optimization of Cellulase Production from locally isolated Fusarium incarnatum (Desm.) Sacc.

The present study describes about cellulase production under submerged fermentation using locally isolated cellulolytic fungal strain (Fusarium incarnatum KU377454). Cellulase production from thermo-chemical pretreated groundnut shell was optimized using statistical technique. The highest cellulolytic activity (4.12 IU/mL) was achieved after 5 days at 22% substrate, 0.29% lactose and 0.5% casein. Thermo-chemical pretreatment showed significant removal of lignin without altering cellulose content. This result suggests the usefulness of Thermo-chemically pretreated substrate for enhanced cellulase production. The above results showed utilization of groundnut shell (waste part) for valuable product development (cellulase) using locally isolated potential cellulolytic strain. Further the produced cellulase can be applied for sugar production from different lignocellulosic biomass