Kinetic Study For The Microbial Production Of Cellulase Enzyme By Optimizing The Substrate Cellulosic Lemongrass Waste Generated After Essential Oil Extraction

Abstract

Cellulosic waste from industrial and agricultural processes presents an opportunity for producing valuable biomolecules like cellulases. Microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and protozoans produce cellulases, and they thrive when cultivated on cellulose-rich materials. In current study the Cellulase enzyme are produced using waste cellulosic materials of lemongrass. The lemongrass yields 1 – 2% v/w essential oil, and almost 98-99% cellulosic waste is generated theoretically and practically.  Aspergillus niger was cultured for cellulase production. Different substrate quantities (4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% w/v in Mineral Salt Media) were tested, with pretreatment involving 0.1% v/v sulfuric acid. The kinetic study revealed increasing enzyme activity up to 48 hours of incubation. Reaction kinetics indicated first-order kinetics for substrate utilization and product formation, with a maximum yield coefficient of 11.56 g/g observed at 8% w/v lemongrass substrate concentration. This approach offers a promising means of utilizing cellulosic waste to produce valuable products like cellulase, potentially reducing costs compared to plant-derived sources such as essential oils, while also providing an eco-friendly method for waste management and resource utilization.