Single Cell Protein Production of Wheat Bran by Fermentation: Nutritional Enhancement of Agricultural Waste (Wheat Bran)

Wheat bran is an important agricultural waste, which is abundantly available in the market at relatively cheaper prices. Candida utilis and Rhizopus oligosporus has been used for the fermentation of wheat bran to produce single cell protein for the nutritional enhancement of wheat bran, which then can be used for cattle feed. Various fermentation parameters i.e., effect of inoculums size, age of inoculums, incubation period, and moisture: substrate ratio, incubation temperature were studied. According to results, maximum yield was obtained when the inoculums size was at 10% (v/w), and as regard age of inoculums concerned, 48 hours old culture gave best results. Fermentation period of 48 hours was found to give maximum protein yield and viable count of yeast and mold cells. These microorganisms showed best growth at 30ºC. After complete optimization of fermentation parameters, a batch of wheat bran was fermented with Candida utilis and Rhizopus oligosporus at optimized conditions, gave maximum crude protein yield i.e., 41.02% as compared to 4.21% crude protein of wheat bran.