The utilization of agroindustry wastes such as sugarcane bagasse (SCB) for
cellulase production could help to reduce the problem of lignocellulosic wastes. Thus, this
study aimed to use the sugarcane bagasse as a substrate in the production of fungal
cellulases via solid-state fermentation of Aspergillus niger. The variables of solid-state
fermentation condition of A. niger such as sugarcane bagasse particle size (400 and 600
µm), inoculum size (2% (v/v) and 5% (v/v), medium pH (5 and 7), and fermentation time (5
and 15 days) were screened using two-level factorial design (Design expert software, StatEase Inc., Version 8.0). Filter paper activity (FPA) was determined to quantify the
produced enzymes activity. The observation on the structure and physicochemical changes
of SCB before and after SSF using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical
microscope was also conducted. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that the significant
parameters of SSF that affected the cellulose production were particle size of SCB and
inoculum size–pH interaction.