PRODUCTION OF ALKALINE PROTEASE FROM AVOCADO (Persea americana Mill.) SEED AND PEEL WASTES USING FUNGI

Abstract:

Microbial proteases are hydrolytic enzymes that are widely used in many industrial processes. This study aimed to evaluate the production of alkaline protease (AP) from fungal isolates sourced from avocado (Persea americana Mill.) peel (AVP) and avocado seed (AS) under solid state fermentation (SSF). AVP and AS was collocated form Harar juice house into plastic bag and serial diltuion method was used for fungal isolatin. The isolates were subutured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and AP production was assessed by measuring enzyme activity in the crude enzyme using the spectrophotometric method. A total of five fungal isolates were isolated and identified based on their morphological characterization to the genus level. Skim-milk agar media was used to test fungal isolates for their ability to produce AP. The optimal SSF parameters (pH, temperature, incubation time, and carbon and nitrogen sources) were determined using the one FIctor-at-a-time method. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and statistically significant differences were considered at P