Influence of growth conditions on enhanced production of alpha amylase from <em>Penicillium </em> species in solid state fermentation

Abstract

The present study deals with the production of alpha amylase by <em>Penicillium</em> sp. employing solid state fermentation. Seven different media were evaluated. Out of all media tested wheat bran with distilled water gave maximum production of alpha amylase. Different parameters such as substrate concentration, moisture content, temperature, incubation time, size of inoculum and pH were optimized for the enzyme production. The maximum enzyme production was obtained by using 7.5 g of wheat bran, 100% of moisture content, incubation period 72 h, temperature of 30°C, inoculum size of 13.3% and pH 6. Addition of 1.5% starch as carbon source and 0.2% NH₄NO₃ and 2% yeast extract as inorganic and organic nitrogen sources respectively gave maximum production of alpha amylase. In addition to this effect of metal ions was also investigated CaCl₂ act as stimulator for enzyme production by <em>Penicillium</em> sp.