The production of enzymes by bioprocesses is a good alternative to add value to agroindustry residues. Sugarcane bagasse is an abundant by-product of sugar industry and was tested as support and carbon source for production of inulinase (2, 1-beta-D-fructanohydrolase, E.C. 3.2.1.7) from Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-7571 by solid-state fermentation. Corn steep liquor was used as nitrogen supplement. Factorial design and response surface analysis were carried out to evaluate the effects of temperature (30.4-41.6 degrees C) and corn steep liquor (13-27.1%, w/v) on the production of inulinase. Optimum fermentation conditions were found to be: 36 degrees C and 20 wt.% of corn steep liquor. Under optimized conditions, the extra-cellular enzyme concentration reached 391.9 U/g of dry fermented bagasse. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.