XYLANASE PRODUCTION BY A NEW Bacillus pumilus SY30A UNDER SOLID STATE FERMENTATION AND ITS APPLICATION IN OIL PALM BIOMASS PULP BLEACHING

Abstract

In the current study, the production of extracellular xylanase by Bacillus pumilus SY30A was investigated in a solid state fermentation. The effects of temperature and pH on xylanase production were tested. The best physical parameters observed for the enzyme production by B. pumilus SY30A were 37 °C and pH 9 respectively. Results showed that wheat bran was found to support the highest yield of xylanase among various carbon sources tested. The maximum enzyme production was obtained 1438 IU/g after 72 h of fermentation. The crude xylanase was then used to pretreat the unbleached oil palm soda-anthraquinone pulp. Results showed that with only 20 U of B. pumilus SY30A crude extract xylanase of 55 °C for 1 hour, decreased the kappa number of 43% while increased the pulp viscosity of 10%. This preliminary study on paper pulp bleaching disclosed the potential use of B. pumilus SY30A xylanase as biobleaching agent, which is also a more environmental sustainable method in comparison to those conventional chemical bleaching method.