Production and optimization of alpha amylase from Aspergillus niger using TME 419 cassava peel as substrate

Production and optimization of culture medium composition as well as purification and characterization of alpha amylase from Aspergillus niger using TME 419 cassava peels as substrate was carried out during the course of this study. Proximate analysis of the dry weight cassava peels was 10.08% moisture content, 6.60% ash content, 11.02% crude fiber, 4.91% crude protein, 1.58% ether extract (fat) and 75.83% total carbohydrate.The optimum process parameter obtained were 120 h for incubation time (0.222 ± 0.033 U/ml), pH of 9 (0.215 ± 0.014 U/ml), gelatin as preferred nitrogen source (0.166 ± 0.144 U/ml), temperature of 35°C (0.048 ± 0.042 U/ml) and TME 419 as favorable carbon source (0.255 ± 0.042 U/ml). Mn and Zn facilitated the activity of alpha amylase while other metal ions like Hg, Tn inhibited the activity of the enzyme. Km and Vmax values of 9.091 mg/ml and 4.431 umol/min/ml were estimated using Lineweaver-Burk plot respectively.TME 419 cassava peels often regarded as agro waste can play a beneficial role in alpha amylase production