Efficient conversion of corn straw to feed protein through solid-state fermentation using a thermophilic microbial...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microbiology
• Waste Valorization

Background:

• Solid-state fermentation of lignocellulosic waste offers a route for waste valorization into feed protein.
• Low efficiency and microbial contamination are significant hurdles in room-temperature fermentation processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an efficient method for producing feed protein from lignocellulosic waste using thermophilic microbiomes.
• To overcome the limitations of low efficiency and microbial contamination in solid-state fermentation.

Main Methods:

• Enrichment and domestication of thermophilic microbiomes with specific functional traits.
• Adaptive and nitrogen acclimation strategies for microbiome enhancement.
• High-throughput sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis for mechanistic insights.

Main Results:

• Achieved 78.21%-81.73% decomposition of straw within 7 days.
• Improved nitrogen utilization rate by 19.22%-26.96% and true protein content by 56.14%-71.99% after nitrogen acclimation.
• Reduced fermentation time by 28.5% using fed-batch enzymatic saccharification and fermentation.

Conclusions:

• Domesticated thermophilic microbiomes enhance lignocellulose decomposition and nitrogen conversion for feed protein production.
• The study presents a novel and efficient approach for the high-value utilization of lignocellulosic waste.
• Enhanced carbon metabolism and urea cycle activity were observed in the fermentation system.