In this work we isolated different fungal isolates from different sources of soil. Penicillium
purpurogenum GE1 showed the highest phytase production, and was chosen for further investigation. Corn cob and corn bran were chosen among different agro-industrial wastes as a supporting material for SSF. Optimal culture conditions and
fermentation parameters were assessed by using one variable at a time method followed by Box–Behnken factorial design
for optimization of the concentrations of the most effective nutrients to enhance phytase production.