Abstract
Several biotechnological and industrial applications are based on the use of various microbial enzymes. Today, amylases are one of the most demanded enzymes due to their high productivity yield and thermostability. The potential use of Geotrichum candidum PO27 for the production of α-amylase was investigated for its ability to utilize olive pomace (OP) waste as a carbon source. Plackett and Burman Design (PBD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using Central Composite Design (CCD) approaches were used to obtain optimal conditions for enzyme production. Cultivation parameters, including pH, inoculum, various carbon and nitrogen sources, and other supplements, were screened by solid-state fermentation (SSF) at 60 °C. Under optimal conditions (moisture content 24.77%, malt extract 1.84 g%, and CaCl(2) 1.84 g%), the maximum production reached 412.94 U/g, which was in agreement with the statistical model prediction (421.32 U/g). The model showed a 2.27-fold increase in α-amylase production compared with the initial medium (181.61 U/g). Peak α-amylase production was achieved after 40 h of incubation at pH 5.53, and sugar concentrations ranged from 10.87 mg/ mL to 5.537 within the first 6 h of culture. Due to the low substrate cost and short incubation time of the strain, Geotrichum candidum PO27 α-amylase may be of significant commercial value to industries requiring enzymatic hydrolysis of starch.