OPTIMIZATION OF PROTEASE FROM ASPERGILLUS NIGER IN SOLID STATE FERMENTATION FOR ENZYMATIC TREATMENT OF AQUACULTURE SLUDGE

Abstract

Proteases or proteolytic enzymes, has high potential to be applied in wastewater treatment and improve sludge dewatering. Hence, the ultimate aim of this study is to produce and characterize protease from Aspergillus niger under solid-state fermentation (SSF) by utilizing shrimp shell powder as solid substrate. The produced protease was applied for enzymatic treatment to reduce organic matter and micropollutants in aquaculture sludge based on selected parameters. It was found that the produced protease from SSF was slightly alkaline.