Solid-substrate fermentation of alfalfa for enhanced protein recovery

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260210403· OSTI ID:6611892

Bajracharya, R; Madgett, R E

Solid-substrate fermentations for extraction of protein from pressed alfalfa residues with Aspergillus Sp. QM 9994, Aspergillus niger QM 877, and Rhizopus nigricans QM 387 were conducted in shake flasks. Upon reimbibing and second pressing, total protein recovery from alfalfa was increased from 47.2% for control samples and up to 64.5% for fermented samples. Analysis of juice from fermented samples indicated the presence of cellulase as well as pectinase activities. Dialysis cultures of cellulase-producing fungi showed that total biomass production and solids consumption were much higher than those of a mutant strain lacking the ability to produce cellulase, indicating significant utilization of cellulosic materials in alfalfa. The biomass yields in the former case ranged from 39-47% based on total solids consumption. Since some of the cellulosic and other carbohydrate constituents in alfalfa may be converted into fungal protein, final alfalfa residues following protein extraction in a commercial process would be less bulky for storage and handling and would be more digestible as a nonruminant animal feed.

• Research Organization: Department of Food and Agricultural Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
• OSTI ID: 6611892
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States) Vol. 21:4; ISSN BIBIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALFALFA
ANIMAL FEEDS
ASPERGILLUS
BIOCONVERSION
CELLULASE
ENZYMES
FERMENTATION
FOOD
FUNGI
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
HYDROLASES
LEGUMINOSAE
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
PLANTS
PRODUCTION
RESIDUES
RHIZOPUS
SINGLE CELL PROTEIN