LAUSR

The present work focused on cellulase production in solid-state fermentation by a fungal isolate of Thalakona forest in Andhra Pradesh identified as Pestalotiopsis microspora TKBRR. Under normal conditions, yields of Filter Paperase (FPase), Carboxymethyl Cellulase (CMCase) and β-glucosidase (BGL) produced by P. microspora TKBRR in SSF were 13, 12 and 11 U/g DS whereas the corresponding yields of FPase, CMCase and BGL after optimization of process conditions and medium components through one stage approach—Central Composite Design in RSM were 15, 16 and 13 U/g DS, respectively in the present study. There was a marginal improvement in yields of cellulolytic enzymes by 2–4 units with the least interactions between factors. Of the four factors tested in the present study, only temperature and pH influenced production of the cellulolytic enzymes and P. microspora TKBRR in SSF exhibited a higher ratio of BGL to FPase in comparison to other cellulolytic organisms reported.