Optimization of Cellulase Production by Cohnella xylanilytica RU-14 Using Statistical Methods

Abstract

In this study, the cellulase activity by bacterial strain Cohnella xylanilytica RU-14 was enhanced by optimizing the medium components using statistical methods of Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD). The cellulase assay was performed using NS enzyme assay method for reducing sugars. By PBD, the most significant factors (CMC, pH, and yeast extract) in an enzyme production medium that influence cellulase production by RU-14 were identified. These identified significant variables were further optimized using RSM by CCD. It was found that under optimized conditions of the medium components, the cellulase activity increased three times up to 14.5 U/mL as compared to un-optimized conditions (5.2 U/mL) of the enzyme production medium. The optimized levels of the significant factors determined by the CCD were found to be CMC, 2.3% w/v, and yeast extract, 0.75% w/v, at pH 7.5. The most adequate temperature for cellulase production by the bacterial strain was found to be 37 °C using the one-factor-at-a-time method. Thus, statistical methods to optimize medium conditions to enhance cellulase production by Cohnella xylanilytica RU-14 were found successful.

Keywords: Cohnella; CMC; Cellulase; Central composite design; Optimization; Plackett–Burman design; Rice straw.