BIOCONVERSION PROCESS OF LIGNOCELLULOSE WASTE TO INCREASE NUTRITIONAL VALUE USING A CONSORTIUM OF FIBROLYTIC MICROBES AND FERMENTATIVE FUNGI

Abstract

AbstractLIGNOCELLULOSE WASTE BIOCONVERSION PROCESS TO IMPROVE NUTRITIONAL VALUE USING A CONSORTIUM OF FIBROLYTIC MICROBES AND FERMENTATIVE FUNGI The present invention relates to a bioconversion process of lignocellulosic waste to produce biomass with lower fiber content and higher nutritional quality using a consortium of fibrolytic microbes and fermentative fungi. The process includes selection of lignocellulosic waste, cleaning and shredding to a particle size of 0.5–5 cm, adjustment of the moisture content and pH of the substrate, addition of microbial growth support materials, preparation of the consortium of fibrolytic microbes and fermentative fungi, inoculation of the consortium into the substrate, fermentation under aerobic, semi-aerobic, or semi-anaerobic conditions, monitoring of fermentation parameters, termination of fermentation after achieving the desired lignocellulose degradation, drying of the product, and packaging and storage.During fermentation, fibrolytic microbes produce cellulase, hemicellulase, xylanase, and β-glucanase enzymes, while fermentative fungi produce ligninase, laccase, and manganese peroxidase enzymes that synergistically degrade lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. This process produces biomass with lower lignin and crude fiber content and higher protein and digestibility than the initial raw material, making it suitable for use as a fermented feed ingredient and other biomass-based products.