African Journal of Chemistry

African Journal of Chemistry ISSN 4391-3199 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Xylanase production by Penicillium chrysogenum (PCL501) fermented on cellulosic wastes

Okafor, U. A.¹, Emezue, T. N.¹, Okochi, V. I. ¹; Onyegeme-Okerenta, B. M.¹ and Nwodo-Chinedu, S.^{2 *}

¹Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, PMB 12003 Idiaraba, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University,    KM 10 Idiroko Road, Canaan Land, PMB 1023 Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 20 August, 2020

Abstract

Xylanase production by Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501, newly isolated from wood-wastes, was monitored at 24 h intervals for a period 168 h in media containing four different carbon sources (oat-spelt xylan, wheat bran, sawdust, and sugarcane pulp). The highest xylanase activity of 6.47 Units mL^-1 was obtained at 96 h in media containing wheat bran whereas media containing sugarcane pulp gave a peak value of 1.39 Units mL^-1 at 144 h. Sawdust and xylan gave a peak xylanase activity of 1.35 and 0.79 Units mL^-1 respectively at 120 h. Maximum protein released in xylan-containing media was 0.38 mg mL^-1. Higher protein yield was obtained in media containing the agro-wastes, with wheat bran giving the highest value of 1.14 mg mL^-1. The maximum specific xylanase activities were 2.59, 8.52, 16.06, and 9.36 Units mg Protein ^-1 for sawdust, sugarcane pulp, wheat bran and xylan respectively. Out of the three agro-wastes used in this study, wheat bran holds the greatest promise for cost -effective production of the xylanase enzyme. The carbon source is the highest inducer of the enzyme in the fungus.

Key words: Penicillium chrysogenum PCL501, agro-wastes, wheat bran, sawdust, sugarcane pulp, xylanase.