Degradation of alkaloids and alkylamides in Zanthoxylum bungeanum meal by lactic acid bacteria via solid-state...

Zanthoxylum bungeanum meal (ZBM), a byproduct of oil extraction, contains toxic alkaloids and alkylamides limiting its use as animal feed. This study investigated the degradation of these compounds using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains Lactobacillus acidipiscis and Lactobacillus paracasei isolated from ZBM via solid-state fermentation (SSF). LAB were identified using hyperspectral imaging, morphology, and plate counting. Fermentation conditions were optimized (e.g., 37 °C, pH 6.0, 48 h), with data analyzed via t-test, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression. Results showed degradation rates of 39.01% for alkaloids (to 3.01 mg/g) and 50.41% for alkylamides (to 2.87 mg/g). pH decreased over time due to organic acid production, while LAB growth peaked at 9 × 10^7 CFU/g before declining. This approach offers an economical, environmentally friendly method to convert ZBM into safe feed, though limitations include strain-specific efficacy and scale-up challenges.