A Problematic Weed Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Used as a Novel Substrate for the Production of β-Mannanase in Solid State Fermentation

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) has drawn attention because of its startling ability to reproduce, which causes major ecological harm to water bodies worldwide. Traditional mechanical removal methods have disadvantages. These techniques result in the wastage of this valuable lignocellulosic resource. Using Eichhornia crassipes as a raw material in SSF (Solid substrate fermentation), reduces the production cost of the industrially significant enzyme β-mannanase while simultaneously resolving the environmental issue. Optimization of fermentation conditions such as production time, moisture content, temperature, particle size and carbon and nitrogen supplements for maximum β-mannanase production from Aspergillus niger was carried out. Under initial conditions 94 U/gds β-mannanase was obtained. Following the optimization of several fermentation parameters, including production time (6th day), temperature at 37°C, 100% moisture content, particle size of 0.5 mm, and the addition of locust bean gum and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen supplements with 107 spores/ml inoculum size, a yield of 378 U/gds β-mannanase enzyme was achieved.