Optimization of selective production media for enhanced production of xylanases in submerged fermentation by Thielaviopsis basicola MTCC 1467 using L16 orthogonal array.

Enzymes have been the centre of attention for researchers/industrialists worldwide due to their wide range of physiological, analytical, food/feed and industrial based applications. Among the enzymes explored for industrial applications, xylanases play an instrumental role in food/feed, textile/detergent, paper and biorefinery based application sectors. This study deals with the statistical optimization of xylanase production by Thielaviopsis basicola MTCC 1467 under submerged fermentation conditions using rice straw, as sole carbon source. Different fermentation parameters such as carbon source, nitrogen source, inorganic salts like KH2PO4, MgSO4 and pH of the medium were optimized at the individual and interactive level by Taguchi orthogonal array methodology (L16). All selected fermentation parameters influenced the enzyme production. Rice straw, the major carbon source mainly influenced the production of xylanase (~34 %). After media optimization, the yield of enzyme improved from 38 to ~60 IU/ml (161.5 %) indicating the commercial production of xylanase by T. basicola MTCC 1467. This study shows the potential of T. basicola MTCC 1467 for the efficient xylanase production under the optimized set of conditions.