Conversion of Food waste to Single Cell Protein using<i> Aspergillus Niger</i>

Abstract

The utilization of food waste into products like single cell protein is an alternative solution to global protein shortage and to alleviate pollution problems. This investigation was carried out with food wastes such as orange, pineapple, banana, watermelon and cucumber waste as growth media for A. niger using standard techniques. Data obtained showed that Banana waste medium gave a higher yield of A. niger biomass and protein content than other waste investigated with values 2.29±0.02 and 0.57±0.01 g/L respectively. Biomass yield from Banana waste medium was statistically significant with the other food waste (p< 0.05). Among the various supplemented nitrogen sources in the Banana waste medium, ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) gave the highest biomass and protein yield of 3.20±0.02 and 0.79± 0.04 g/L respectively. Thus, the study revealed that A. niger biomass can be produced from food waste and optimal yield can be enhanced by supplementing the medium with ammonium nitrate.