Statistical optimization of endo-polygalacturonase production by overproducing mutants of Aspergillus niger in solid-state fermentation

Statistically based experimental designs were applied for endopolygalacturonaseproduction by mutated strains of Aspergillusniger using apple pomace waste in solid-state fermentation (SSF).The Plackett-Burman design was used to search for the main factors.Urea was found to be the most significant factor (p<0.05) amongthese variables. To study the mutual interactions between variablesand find the optimum medium, Doehlert design was performed toinvestigate the effect of the medium components, apple pomace,glucose and urea. Using the optimized medium, the maximalactivity of endo-polygalacturonase production was found to be4.266 U. The Plackett-Burman design coupled with Doehlert designwere proved to be the potent tools in optimizing mediumcomposition for producing endo-polygalacturonase.