Optimization of physico-chemical parameters for synergistic production of xylano-cellulolytic enzymes by novel Pantoea sp. (PQ584882) under solid-state fermentation using statistical design approach.

Xylanase and cellulase have become increasingly significant due to their versatile applications in the food, paper, biofuel, and pharmaceutical industries. Nevertheless, the current production of these enzymes relies on costly substrates, with estimates indicating that over 30 % of the production expenses are attributed to these substrates. The objective of this study is to optimize the physicochemical parameters for obtaining the maximum production of xylanase & cellulase enzyme from Pantoea sp. (PQ584882). The production conditions were statistically optimized using Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and Central Composite design (CCD). The significant variables identified through PB design including temperature, substrate-to-moisture ratio, KHPO, peptone, surfactant, inoculum size, inoculum age, incubation time, and pH were further optimized using the CCD approach. This optimization process revealed the most influential factors affecting xylanase & cellulase production, with optimal conditions observed at a temperature of 40◦C, Moisture Proportion, 15 mL; KHPO 6 mM; peptone, 1.55 %; Castor oil 0.5 %; inoculum size, 1.55 % (v/w); inoculum age, 18 h; an incubation time, 87 h. The optimized CCD model displayed a 1.84-fold greater xylanase & cellulose production than the PB design approach. These findings suggest that wheat bran, a readily available agro-waste, could be a feasible alternative to the conventional substrate, beechwood xylan and CMC (Carboxy methyl cellulose) for the production of xylanase & cellulase enzymes with the possibility of achieving higher production levels optimized by using a statistical design approach.