Statistical Optimization of lignocellulolytic enzyme production by Fusarium oxysporum through response surface methodology

The successful technique for producing a multienzyme complex for biomass conversion involves both the selection of microorganisms and the fermentation process parameters. This study describes the isolation, screening, and selection of biomass-degrading fungal species from corn-cultivated soil samples, as well as the refinement of the cultural conditions for a Fusarium oxysporum (IF 5) strain that was grown on several agro-industrial wastes (sugar cane bagasse, corn stover, corn cob, and rice straw) in solid state fermentation to produce a multienzyme complex. Evaluation of lignocellulosic substrate for enzyme synthesis indicated corn stover to be the most effective substrate, with activities of cellulase 16 ± 0.76 U/gds, xylanase 29 ±1.25 U/gds, laccase 4.91 ± 1.02 U/gds, lignin peroxidase 3.98 ± 0.87 U/gds, and manganese peroxidase 3.21 ± 0.98 U/gds. Response surface methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to examine the interaction between variables (moisture content, inoculum size, inoculum volume, and incubation period). Maximum enzyme activity was found at a moisture content of 80%, a biomass size of 2 mm, an inoculum volume of 4 mL, and an incubation time of 15 days. The multiple correlation level R 2 was 0.9736 for cellulase, 0.9944 for xylanase, 0.9931 for laccase, 0.9934 for lignin peroxidase, and 0.9950 for manganese peroxidase. These findings suggest that Fusarium oxysporum (IF 5) is capable of synthesizing all five enzymes essential for the efficient conversion of biomass, found that the ideal circumstances for lignocellulolytic enzyme synthesis were extremely beneficial for the generation of bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass.