Enhanced lactic acid production from potato peel waste via MnO₂ nanoparticle-assisted simultaneous saccharification...

This study focused on optimizing lactic acid production from potato peel waste facilitated by MnO₂ nanoparticle (NP). Also, kinetic analysis was conducted, utilizing the growth constant (K_g), logistic function, and modified Gompertz model to evaluate the process dynamics under optimized conditions and the control experiment (without NP). Under optimized conditions (0.034 wt% MnO₂ NP, 6.02 pH, 34 °C temperature, and 14.90 wt% solid loading), notable increases in biomass and lactic acid concentrations of 2.85 g/L and 41.26 g/L were achieved representing a 1.16 and 1.42-fold increments respectively. In addition, the inclusion of MnO₂ NP increased the maximum potential lactic acid concentration (P_m) and production rate, reaching 32.89 g/L and 1.51 g/L/h, respectively, compared to the control's values of 29.80 g/L and 1.43 g/L/h. This study underscores the potential of MnO₂ NP in boosting lactic acid bioprocessing and yield towards enhanced bioconversion of agricultural waste to useful products.