Response-Surface Statistical Optimization of Submerged Fermentation for Pectinase and Cellulase Production by Mucor circinelloides and M. hiemalis

Cellulase and pectinase are degrading cellulosic pectic substances that form plant cell walls and, thereby, they have a wide range of applications in the agro-industrial by-products recycling food industries. In current research, Mucor circinelloides M. hiemalis strains were tested for their ability to produce cellulase from tangerine peel by submerged fermentation. Experiments on five variables: temperature, pH, incubation period, inoculum size, substrate concentration, designed with Box–Behnken design, as well response surface methodology (RSM), analysis variance was performed. addition, partially purified characterized. At optimum parameters, afforded high production (37.20 U/mL 33.82 U/mL, respectively) (38.02 39.76 respectively). The partial purification produced 1.73- 2.03-fold 31.12 32.02% recovery, respectively; meanwhile, 1.74- 1.99-fold 31.26 31.51% respectively, obtained pectinase. Partially demonstrated highest activity at neutral 70 50 °C, 60 pectinase, respectively. Moreover, 10 mM K+ increased enzymatic activity. utilizing RSM is deemed profitable decomposition wastes.