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Cellulase production from cellulosic banana waste using Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus niger
and Fusarium oxysporum was assessed. The wastes were dried, pre-treated with alkali and steam,
re-dried and then blended. The powdered wastes were then used as substrates in separate shakeflasks
which contained mineral salts medium (MSM) and inoculums of Trichoderma harzianum,
Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum. Fermentations were carried out in flasks containing the
MSM, the waste substrate and the inoculum at pH 5.0, 1% substrate concentration and cultured on a
rotary shaker at 29±1ºC initially for 5 days to verify cellulase production by the organisms from the
waste substrates, then for 7 days or 9 days while varying different fermentation parameters.
Cellulase activity and amount of glucose produced by the three test organisms from the waste
substrates were determined and compared. The amount of glucose produced was optimized by
varying the fermentation parameters: Time, pH, Substrate concentration and Temperature. The
results obtained from the fermentations showed that Trichoderma harzianum, produced the highest
amount of glucose among the cultures tested. This was produced from banana pulp at pH 4 and
temperature of 45ºC on Day 7 of fermentation. The highest amount of glucose produced by
Aspergillus niger was also from banana pulp at pH 3 and temperature of 40ºC on Day 5 of
fermentation. The highest amount of glucose produced by Fusarium oxysporum was from banana
pulp (0.54mg/0.5ml) at pH 4 and temperature of 45ºC on Day 5 of fermentation.
Keywords: Banana peel, Banana pulp, Cellulase and waste