Kinetics of the solid state fermentation of sugarcane bagasse by Thermoascus aurantiacus for the production of xylanase

Xylanase was produced by solid-state fermentation using Thermoascus aurantiacus. Maximum production (500 U g(-1) bagasse) was achieved on the sixth day of cultivation on solid sugarcane bagasse medium supplemented with 15% (v/w) rice bran extract. The fungal biomass, determined from its glucosamine content, reached 28 mg g(-1) on the 8th day of cultivation. The cell yield against O2 (Y(x/o) = 0.18 g(cell)/g(O2)) and maintenance coefficient (m0 = 0.013 g(O2)/g(cell)h) were determined with the low Y(x/o) value for T. aurantiacus agreeing with the calculated value.