Single‐cell protein production through microbial conversion of lignocellulosic residue (wheat bran) for animal feed

Agricultural residue (wheat bran) rich in carbohydrates was utilized in the fermentation process to produce microbial biomass. Single‐cell biomass consists of the dried cells of microorganisms, which are used as protein supplements in human food and in animal feed. In the present study, two different microorganisms (Candida utilis and Rhizopus oligosporus) were studied for biomass production. To enhance the nutritional contents of wheat bran, a number of different fermentation parameters (effect of inoculum size, age of inoculum, incubation period, moisture to substrate ratio and incubation temperature) were optimized. Maximum yield was obtained at an inoculum size of 10% (v/w), with the age of the inoculum being a 48 h old culture. A fermentation period of 48 h was found to give the maximum protein yield and viable counts of yeast cells and mould hyphae. The microorganisms showed good growth at 30 °C. After complete optimization of the fermentation parameters, a batch of wheat bran was fermented with C. utilis and R. oligosporus under the optimized conditions, resulting in a maximum crude protein yield of 41.02% compared with the 4.21% crude protein of the non‐fermented wheat bran. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling