Abstract
Banana peels (BP), an under-utilized waste material, was studied for the production of xylanase and pectinase by Aspergillus fumigates MS16. The factors affecting the co-production of both the enzymes were separately studied for their influence under submerged (Smf) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) of BP. The strain was cultivated in the presence of mineral salt (MS) solution containing BP powder as a sole source of carbon and physical and nutritional factors varied to observe the change in the enzyme titers. The data revealed that the MS-based medium was appropriate for the production of both the enzymes; therefore, in subsequent experiments, the same medium was used. A temperature of 30–35°C was found better for the production of the two enzymes under Smf; however, the titers of pectinase dropped significantly at 40°C. Contrarily, xylanase production was inhibited at 40°C under SSF but not under Smf. Whereas, supplementation of xylan or pectin to BP induced the production of xylanase and pectinase, respectively. Lowering the pH value favored the production of both the enzymes under Smf; however, the production of pectinase improved significantly when a higher concentration of BP (1%) was used compared to the concentration (0.25%) required for the production of xylanase. Interestingly, the enzyme preparation obtained under SSF exhibited optimal activities of both the enzymes at higher temperatures when compared to those obtained under Smf. The data indicated that the physiology of the fungus differed greatly when the cultivation pattern varied from Smf to SSF and, hence, the enzymes produced were characteristically distinct.