Kinetics of the solid state fermentation of sugarcane bagasse by Thermoascus aurantiacus for the production of xylanase

Xylanase was produced by solid-state fermentation using Thermoascus aurantiacus. Maximum production (500 U g^–1 bagasse) was achieved on the sixth day of cultivation on solid sugarcane bagasse medium supplemented with 15% (v/w) rice bran extract. The fungal biomass, determined from its glucosamine content, reached 28 mg g^–1 on the 8th day of cultivation. The cell yield against O₂ (Y_x/o=0.18g_cell/gO₂) and maintenance coefficient (m₀=0.013g_O2/g_cellh) were determined with the low Y_x/o value for T. aurantiacus agreeing with the calculated value.