MICROBIAL PRODUCTION OF ALKALINE PROTEASES USING AGRICULTURAL BY-PRODUCTS

In recent years, the environmental friendly approaches have attracted lots of attention towards the production of fine chemicals, therefore the use of agricultural waste for production of various enzymes have increased tremendously. Various industries focused on use of agro-residues as sole source of carbon and nitrogen in fermentation medium for large scale production. These residues are easily available in large amount with low cost and minimizing the capital investment in terms of medium constituents. But, uses of agro-residues are having some limitations such as biomass transport, proper handling and efficient pretreatment methods for total delignification of lignocelluloses. The utilization of agro-wastes for production of commercially important compounds does not disturb food-chain as it is based on use of waste to energy concept and decrease dependence on non-renewable resources. Various enzymes including alkaline proteases are being produced from agricultural wastes by solid state and submerged fermentation processes. In the present review, the production of alkaline proteases from various agricultural by-products is highlighted along with the types of microorganisms involved and modes of production process.