Abstract:Box-Behnken design coupled with response surface methodology was applied to optimize the culture process of Aspergillus niger spores with corncob as substrate，providing technical reference for further research.Using standard strains and corncob as experimental materials，based on single-factor experiments，carbon and nitrogen sources at different concentrations were selected as influencing factors，and the number of Aspergillus niger spores was used as response value.According to Box-Behnken design coupled with response surface methodology，three-factor and three-level response surface experiments were designed，and a mathematical model was established to determine the optimum medium composition for Aspergillus niger Spore growth.Among the selected factors，the concentration of carbon and nitrogen sources had an extremely significant effect on the sporulation of Aspergillus niger，kinds and concentrations of carbon source and nitrogen source concentration interaction is obviousa.The optimum culture conditions were determined by software fitting combined with actual conditions：carbon source type，fructose，carbon source concentration，0.70 % ，nitrogen source concentration，0.30%.Under these conditions，the results of validation experiment were close to the predicted values of the model.Application of response surface methodology to optimize the culture process of Aspergillus niger spores with corncob as substrate is feasible.The actual value is in good agreement with the predicted value，and good culture results of Aspergillus niger spores can be obtained.This study lay a foundation for further study and utilization of Aspergillus niger spores.