Production of bioprotein from oil palm fronds by Aspergillus terreus strain UniMAP AA-1

Abstract

Bioprotein is an alternative source that can be used to substitute the conventional protein source. In order to produce bioprotein, agricultural wastes can be utilized by microorganisms as substrates. Therefore, in this study, the utilization of oil palm fronds (OPF) as a substrate for the production of bioprotein by Aspergillus terreus strain UniMAP AA-1 through solid-state fermentation was investigated. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the production of bioprotein developed from OPF as a substrate and to optimize the physical parameters affecting bioprotein production. Solid state fermentation was carried out in conical flasks with 20 g of working volume at 30°C for 7 days. The fermentation time which produced the highest bioprotein was recorded at day 5. After that, the effects of temperature, substrate concentration and inoculum size were screened through 2-Level factorial design. Substrate concentration and temperature for the fermentation process were further optimized using Response Surface Methodology through Central Composite Design. As a result, maximum bioprotein produced was 0.7348 mg/mL at the temperature of 34.69°C, 58.06% w/v of substrate concentration and 5% v/v inoculum size. The data obtained in this study is potentially applicable in the scale-up production of bioprotein from OPF by A. terreus strain UniMAP AA-1 in the future.