Purification and Quantification of Cellulase Produced by <i>Aspergillus Niger</i> Using Alkali Treated and Untreated Sugarcane Bagasse

Abstract

This Study was conducted to purify and quantify the amount of cellulase produced by Aspergillus niger isolated from refuse dump soil using alkali treated and untreated sugarcane bagasse. Proximate composition of the treated bagasse revealed (95.75%) dry matter, (8.75%) crude protein, (23.13%) Crude fiber, (79.55%) Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE), and (2.70%) Ash, for the untreated Sugarcane bagasse (90.75%) of dry matter, (5.13%) crude protein, (5.20%) Crude fiber, (76.82%) Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) and (1.60%) ash. The cellulases produced were partially purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation technique. Higher enzymatic activity was found with the partially purified alkali treated sugarcane bagasse enzyme solution (0.74225U/mL) compared to the alkali treated sugarcane bagasse crude enzyme solution (0.3599U/mL).