Synthesis of single cell protein from Lactobacillus sp. and saccharomyces cerevisiae using corn cob

Single cell protein (SCP) is a type of protein that produced from microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and algae. It can be used as protein source for human and animals. In this study, two types of microorganisms; bacteria (Lactobacillus sp.) and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were used in the SCP production. Cellulose was extracted from corn cob using maceration process, bleaching and alkali treatment and then converted into monosaccharides by acid hydrolysis for carbon source in fermentation process. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine functional groups and peak region of cellulose and monosaccharides. Two parameters were used for the optimization of SCP production which are type of microorganism and volume of inoculum in the fermentation process. Lactobacillus sp. resulted in higher protein yield with 8.5% compared to 7.36% of protein yield from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively. Volume of inoculum were then varied (2, 4, 6 and 8 ml) for the next fermentation using Lactobacillus sp. 8 ml of inoculum shows the highest yield of protein which is 5.33% compared to 3.32%, 4.09% and 5.17% of protein content for 2, 4 and 6 ml of inoculum, respectively. From this study, it can be concluded that corn cob can be used as carbon source in the SCP production and agriculture waste can be served as cheap raw materials which acts as potential substrate for SCP production.