Sugar beet pulp and molasses as a solid state fermentation media for cellulase production by Paenibacillus chitinolyticus CKS1

Sugar beet pulp (SBP) and molasses, by-products from sugar industry were used as a substrate for cellulase production in this study. Solid state fermentation (SSF) was performed by a natural isolate Paenibacillus chitinolyticus CKS1. Data showed that cellulose in SBP could be used as a substrate to produce both cellulases, CMCase and Avicelase. An optimum solid: moisture ratio for maximum cellulase production was investigated. Maximum CMCase 3.159 U/g and Avicelase activity 4.840 U/g was obtained at the fourth day of incubation with 10% of inoculum. The cellulase production during SSF on SBP indicates that this process is economically very justified.