Solid state fermentation for the synthesis of inulinase from Staphylococcus sp and Kluyveromyces marxianus

Solid state fermentation was carried out for the production of inulinase from Staphylococcus sp. RRL-1 and Kluyveromyces marxianus ATCC 52466. Wheat bran, rice bran, coconut oil cake and corn flour. individually or in combinations were tested for their efficiency to be used as the solid substrate. Both cultures grew well in a wheat bran medium. Although the yeast culture produced relatively higher enzyme yields, the bacterial culture took a relatively shorter time to attain maximal yield. Under optimized conditions, the extra-cellular enzyme concentration reached a peak in 48 h with Staphylococcus sp. (107.64 U of inulinase per gram dry fermented substrate-gds) and in 72 h with K. marxianus (122.88 U/gds). This is the first report on inulinase production in SSF. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.