Protein-enrichment of wheat bran using Aspergillus terreus

Wheat bran was fermented by Aspergillus terreus to increase the protein content for use as animal feed. Maximum protein content (55%) and conversion efficiency (59%) were achieved at the late growth phase (8 day-old cultures), when each flask containing 100 ml medium was inoculated with 4% (v/v) spore suspension (3.6 x 10(5) spore/ml) and shaken at 250 rpm. The best fermentation medium contained (g/l): wheat bran, 10; urea, 1.4; MgSO4.7H2O, 0.3; KH2PO4, 1.0; KC1, 0.1 and was adjusted to pH 4.0. Under optimal growth condition, 4 fold increase in protein content was obtained compared to the protein content of the wheat bran.