EVALUATION OF LIPASE PRODUCTION FROM FUNGI ISOLATED FROM LIPID-RICH MEDIUM

Abstract

Lipase can be produced from fungi due to the ease in cultured conditions using semi-solid culture medium in which by-products such as nut oil cake, sugar cane bagasse, corn core can be utilized. This study was carried out to identify the fungus strains possessing the highest lipase activity from a lipid-rich medium. Preliminary screening was conducted on M1 medium to determine the colony diameter. Secondary screening was performed to evaluate the lipase activity and the excellent lipase producer was identified to be Aspergillus niger. The effect of moisture, cultivation time, substrate combination of nut oil cake and sugar cane bagasse at different ratio on fermentation conditions was examined. Data revealed that cultured medium with 75: 25 (w/w) nut oil cake: sugarcane bagasse resulted in highest lipase activity (1.86 UI/mL) under moisture content of 60% after 4 days.

Keywords: Aspergillus niger, hydrolysis zones, lipase, nut oil cake, sugar cane bagasse, solid state fermentation.