Wealth from waste: Recovery of the commercially important waxy ester from enzymatic dehaired sheep wool

Abstract In the present study, the Aspergillus flavus were screened to produce multienzyme containing amylase and protease using starch agar and skimmed milk agar plate assay. The fungus was cultivated by solid state fermentation using wheat bran as substrate. The parameters such as pH, temperature, incubation time, and moisture content were optimized. The maximum production was achieved by amylase with a yield of 55 U/mL and followed by protease yielding to 37 U/mL at 70% moisture (Room temperature), pH of 9.5, at 28 °C and 96 h of incubation. Application studies were carried out for dehairing and extraction of lanolin, using sheep wool. Results suggested that use of multienzyme substantially replaces the usage of chemicals and will be considered as a suitable bio-agent in the current scenario on green process technology development.