Production of single cell protein from food industry wastes: III Optimization of some culture conditions affecting fungal growth

ABSTRACT

The present study investigated some optimum growth conditions for producing maximum protein from two fungal cultures, namely; M. verrucaria, and T. viride grown in shaked culture using pretreated beet pulp as substrate. Both fungal cultures proved their ability to grow over a wide range of initial pH of the medium. Mycelial protein content reached its maximum by increasing inoculum ratio in medium to 2% for T. viride and to 8% M. verrucaria. Supplementation of growth medium by different organic and inorganic nitrogen sources promoted markedly protein production. Maximum values for mycelial protein content were obtained by using urea as a nitrogen source. However, both cultures differed in their response towards the concentration of urea in medium, T. viride was more sensitive to higher concentrations than the other culture. Results demonstrated that maximum protein production was obtained using 0.17% and 0.07% urea with M. Verrucaria and T. Viride, respectively. A study of the effect of aeration indicated that maximal values for mycelial protein content were given at air Medium ratio of 53 and 52 with M. verrucaria and T. viride, respectively. Moreover, results revealed that mycelial protein content increased by increasing substrate concentration in the medium up to 10% and 20% beet pulp with M. verrucaria and T. Viride, respectively