Production of single-cell protein and cellulase from sugarcane bagasse: Effect of culture factors

Protein production by Aspergillus terreus grown on alkali-treated bagasse was studied under various culture conditions. Optimum biomass protein content was in the range of 21–28% (w/w) and protein recovery was in the range of 11–14.5 g 100 g −1 bagasse with an alkali-treated bagasse substrate concentration of 1.5% (w/v), pH 4.5, 35°C, 1:5 (v/v) culture broth and 4% (v/v) inoculum and continuous shaking for seven days. Optimum cellulase activities with carboxymethyl cellulose were in the range of 0.85–1.2 units ml −1 and 0.08–0.11 with filter paper. These values corresponded with high crude protein.