Investigations were carried out to optimize the culture conditions for the production of b-D-fructan-fructanohydrolase by an indigenously isolated bacterial culture of Staphylococcus sp. RRL8. Experiments were carried out in solid culturing using chicory roots (powdered) as the source of carbon, which was supplemented, with corn steep liquor and potassium dihydrogen phosphate. A number of process parameters, like period of cultivation, initial moisture content in the substrate and temperature of incubation were optimized. Maximum extra-cellular enzyme was produced when fermentation was carried out at 30ºC for 24 h using chicory roots with 60% initial moisture. Supplementation of the substrate with additional carbon source (except with sucrose) resulted decreased enzyme titres, which indicated that the strain was partially depressive. Addition of external nitrogen sources (in addition to corn steep liquor) also failed to stimulate enzyme formation; rather exerted harmful impact on bacterial culture of Staphylococcus sp. RRL8.
Fructan-fructanohydrolase; Inulinase; Solid state fermentation; Staphylococcus sp.; Chicory
