Abstract

Agricultural residues rich in carbohydrates can be utilized in fermentation proceses to produce microbial protein which in turn can be used to upgrade both human and animal feeds. Studies to determine the factors influencing cell biomass production with Candida sp. using citrus fruit wastes showed that the test strain was capable of meeting its amino acid requirements in culture when supplied with inorganic nitrogen sources. The organism was capable of growth at 37°C. Supplementation of media with 0 – 15% and 0 - 6% w/v combination of dextrose and ammonium nitrate, respectively, resulted in optimal growth at a pH of 4.6 (optimum pH) after 6.0 h. However, supplementation with phosphorus was not a critical condition for growth.

Key words: Candida, Yeast, microbial, protein, production, factors, banana, plantain, orange, wastes.