The project was planned to produce max. protease from Whey by Rhizopus
arrhizus at pH 4 and 37C temperature. Growth media employed to culture
R. arrhizus for the production of enzyme were developed and fermentation
conditions was optimized through various trials. Substrate water ratio,
different nitrogen sources and cont. of nitrogen source were optimized.
The fermented materials were harvested after 72 hours. These were
filtered and centrifuged at 10,000 rpm at -10C. The filtrates were
subjected to enzyme assay. Absorbance of the enzyme sample was
determined at 660 nm on spectrophotometer. The enzyme activity was
calculated and the results were analyzed statistically by using ANOVA
under CRD and by taking MSE from ANOVA, DMR test w sap-lied to compare
the treatment means. It was observed that 90% Whey and 2.5% cotton seed
meal enhanced the production of protease by R. arrhizus. Max. enzyme
activity was observed (149.26 IU/ml/min) in flask level at pH 4 and 37C
temperature. These optimized conditions of growth media was again used
in Air-Lift fermenter and determined the activity (169.78 IU/ml/min)
that is greater than flask level. This is due to temperature in Air-lift
fermenter.