Optimization of cellulase production by bacillus sp. BPPT CC RK2 with pH and temperature variation using response surface methodology

Indonesia has abundant ethanol biomass feedstocks. However the second-generation ethanol production process is still hampered by the unavailability of cellulase enzyme in the process of decomposition of lignocellulose into saccharides that can be processed into ethanol through fermentation. Cellulase is known as exozyme produced by Bacillus sp. in submerged fermentation. In this study, cellulase production by Bacillus sp. CC BPPT RK2 on natural and abundant agricultural waste substrates (rice bran and coconut water) was evaluated by investigating the optimum conditions for cellulase production in a 50 ml laboratory scale. Preliminary test using Luria Bentani (LB) medium with additional CMC (1%) were done to select optimum range of pH and Temperature. The preliminary tests results were then followed by optimization of pH and temperature, which were carried out using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM optimization model showed optimum values 6.23 for pH and 40.04 °C, with 14 terms (each with 1 degree of freedom), 4 linear effects, 6 interaction effects and 4 quadratic effects. These optimization by RSM results were slightly different compared to preliminary test, showing the effect of interactions between parameters. The characteristics of interaction among variables tested against the cellulase activity are reported in this study including: positive effects on cellulase activity of the resulting responses; negative interactions affecting the response of cellulase activity; synergistic interaction; and antagonistic interactions between each other.