Comparative study using banana pseudostem and leaf vein as substrates for amylase production using Aspergillus niger in Kerala: an overview

Solid state fermentation holds tremendous potentials for the production of the enzyme amylase by Aspergillus niger. Different solid substrates like banana pseudo-stem and leaf vein are rich in starch. These agro-industrial residues are cheap raw materials for amylase production. Aspergillus niger isolated from the bread was identified to be the best producer of amylase. When A. niger was incubated for 10 days at 37°C on pseudo-stem and leaf vein of locally available banana varieties like Ethan, Poovan, Palayamkodan and Kaali, as substrate in solid state fermentation. It showed high yield of amylase in Ethan leaf vein, followed by Palayankodan vein. All other substrate also showed moderate amount of amylase production.