Downstream processing of microbial rennet from solid state fermented moldy bran

Abstract

In recent years due to acute shortage of calf-rennet, microbial rennets seem to be an effective alternative and are commercially produced. Mucor miehei was cultivated under the solid state fermentation conditions, and the moldy bran was extracted using a semicontinuous multiple contact forced percolation method. The treated extract was then filtered through 5% R16 clay which enabled easy and efficient removal of impurities such as lipase and protease without involving costly chemical treatments. The ethyl alcohol precipitated enzyme was dried and made into powder form having activity of 1.5 × 10 5Soxhlet units/gm.