Statistical optimization of process parameters for the production of tannase by Aspergillus flavus under submerged fermentation

Production of tannase by Aspergillus flavus (MTCC 3783) using tamarind seed powder as substrate was studied in submerged fermentation. Plackett-Burman design was applied for the screening of 12 medium nutrients. From the results, the significant nutrients were identified as tannic acid, magnesium sulfate, ferrous sulfate and ammonium sulfate. Further the optimization of process parameters was carried out using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM has been applied for designing of experiments to evaluate the interactive effects through a full 31 factorial design. The optimum conditions were tannic acid concentration, 3.22 %; fermentation period, 96 h; temperature, 35.1 degrees C; and pH 5.4. Higher value of the regression coefficient (R-2 = 0.9638) indicates excellent evaluation of experimental data by second-order polynomial regression model. The RSM revealed that a maximum tannase production of 139.3 U/ml was obtained at the optimum conditions.