Concomitant production of industrially important enzyme from a novel fungal culture <i>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</i> using low-cost agro-waste under solid-state fermentation

The study uses solid-state fermentation to explore the co-production of industrial enzymes (amylases, cellulases, xylanases, and phytases). The experiments examine the key cultivation parameters, such as fermentation time (2 to 7 days), incubation temperature (25 to 35 °C), medium components, and the effects of inducers. Maximum enzyme activities were observed at 30 °C after 6 days of incubation, using paddy straw as a primary substrate. Supplementing paddy straw with rice bran significantly enhanced the activities of amylase, CMCase, FPase, and xylanase by 1.94x, 1.36x, 1.45x, and 2.14x, respectively using fungal strain <i>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</i> strain RBEE-GCS103. Further, enzyme production in enamel-coated metallic trays increased enzyme activities by 20-35% compared to production in 250 ml flasks. The present study highlights <i>L. theobromae</i> strain RBEE-GCS103 as a novel and potential co-producer for the industrially important enzyme utilizing underutilized agro-waste.