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Production of poly(β-l-malic acid) by Aureobasidium pullulans HA-4D under solid-state fermentation
Jun Xia1, Rongqing Li1, Aiyong He1
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomass-Based Energy and Enzyme Technology, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture and Environmental Protection, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huaiyin Normal University, Huai'an 223300, China.
This study demonstrates efficient poly(β-l-malic acid) (PMA) production using Aureobasidium pullulans HA-4D via solid-state fermentation (SSF) on agro-industrial residues, offering a cost-effective alternative to submerged fermentation.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbial Fermentation
- Biopolymer Production
Background:
- Poly(β-l-malic acid) (PMA) is a biopolymer with various applications.
- Traditional submerged fermentation (SmF) for PMA production can be costly.
- Agro-industrial residues represent an underutilized resource for bioprocesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the production of PMA by Aureobasidium pullulans HA-4D using solid-state fermentation (SSF).
- To optimize SSF conditions for maximum PMA yield from low-cost agro-industrial residues.
- To evaluate the economic viability of SSF for PMA production compared to SmF.
Main Methods:
- Solid-state fermentation (SSF) of Aureobasidium pullulans HA-4D using a mixture of sweet potato residue and wheat bran.
- Optimization of substrate composition, supplements (NaNO3, CaCO3), moisture content, and inoculum size.
- Repeated-batch fermentation cycles and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for cell growth analysis.
- Cost analysis comparing SSF with SmF.
Main Results:
- Maximum PMA production of 75.4 mg/g substrate achieved with a 1:1 mixture of sweet potato residue and wheat bran.
- Optimal conditions included 0.8% NaNO3, 2% CaCO3, 70% initial moisture, and 13% inoculum size for 8 days.
- Successful repeated-batch SSF for 5 cycles demonstrated high productivity.
- SEM confirmed robust growth of A. pullulans HA-4D on the solid substrate.
- SSF resulted in a significantly lower unit price of PMA compared to SmF.
Conclusions:
- Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a viable and cost-effective method for producing poly(β-l-malic acid) (PMA).
- Agro-industrial residues can be effectively utilized as substrates for microbial PMA production.
- This study presents a novel and economical approach for PMA biosynthesis.
