Statistical modeling of pullulan production and its application in pullulan acetate nanoparticles synthesis

•Pullulan production from cassava bagasse in solid state fermentation•Statistical optimization of medium variables improves yield of pullulan•Production of pullulan in lab scale solid state fermentation•Comparison of thermo gravimetric and XRD analysis with commercial pullulan•Synthesis of pullulan acetate nanoparticles This work focused on the optimization of exo-polysaccharide, pullulan production by exploiting cassava bagasse, an agricultural solid waste residue by solid state fermentation and its application in the preparation of pullulan acetate nanoparticles. Statistical approach was investigated to maximize the pullulan production using C/N ratio, initial pH, NaCl and ZnSO4·5H2O. The optimum conditions for maximum yield of pullulan (39.42±0.62mg/gds) were found to be: C/N=25.94, initial pH=5.5 and NaCl=0.55g/L. Using the optimized medium variables, the production of pullulan was investigated in lab scale solid state fermentation. The pullulan produced was characterized by thermo gravimetric and XRD analysis. Also pullulan acetate nanoparticles were synthesized from chemical modification of pullulan and the average particle size of nanoparticles was examined by zeta particle sizer.