Solid state fermentation of maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) cob by <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i> strain EM-1: Biopolymer profiles and cellulose degradability

Abstract

The low digestibility and low protein content of maize cob are major limitations to its use as animal feed in Ghana. The possibility of enhancing the feed potential of maize cob through solid state fermentation by Pleurotus ostreatus strain EM-1 was investigated. At the end of spawn run, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose content had decreased by 42.3, 5.6% and 41.0% respectively. No further reduction in lignin content occurred thereafter. In contrast, after 28 days, cellulose and hemicellulose had been degraded by 36.0% and 58.5% respectively. A biphasic protein profile, characterized by a 6-fold increase by day 14, followed by a dramatic decline was observed. The rate of release of reducing sugars from spent maize cobs during incubation with exogenous cellulase was 400% greater than that of untreated maize cobs. The present findings indicate that the positive effects of P. ostreatus strain EM-1 on the nutritive value of maize cob appear to be optimal after complete colonization by mycelia. At this stage, maximum biodegradation of lignin had occurred, protein content was markedly elevated and the reduction in cellulose content was negligible. Thus, solid state fermentation by Pleurotus ostreatus strain EM-1 may be an efficient means of transforming maize cob into nutritive animal feed.

Degradation of lignocellulosic substrates by Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus

“…The higher reducing sugar released from groundnut shell degraded by the monoculture of Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus than co-culture of the two might be due to the high utilization of the released reducing sugar as carbon and energy sources by the co-culture than monoculture [30,31] or the organisms might be having an antagonistic effect on each other leading to decrease in released reducing sugar when grown together. While the observed higher reducing sugar released in Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus-degraded maize cob than non-degraded one was probably because of the interaction between hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes released by these organisms when degrading maize cob, breaking down cellulose and hemicellulose to simple sugar [32,33]. A similar observation of increased reducing sugar content of maize cob, when degraded by Pleurotus ostreatus, was reported by Adamafio, et al [32].…”

“…While the observed higher reducing sugar released in Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus-degraded maize cob than non-degraded one was probably because of the interaction between hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes released by these organisms when degrading maize cob, breaking down cellulose and hemicellulose to simple sugar [32,33]. A similar observation of increased reducing sugar content of maize cob, when degraded by Pleurotus ostreatus, was reported by Adamafio, et al [32]. The increase in reducing sugar content observed in degraded maize straw could © 2023 Conscientia Beam.…”

Increasing Nutritional Contents of Cassava Starch Wastes Using Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P.Kumm. and Lentinus squarrosulus Mont.

“…Adamafio et al also found that cellulose was double after fermenting corn cob with P. ostreatus. Solid state fermentation with P. ostreatus decrease accumulated fiber by enzymes activities 13 . It is indicated that mushroom contains several enzymes that involves lignocellulose metabolism 14 .…”

Chemical reactivity and supramolecular susceptibility of hardwood celluloses towards succinic anhydride

“…The utilization of lignocellulose wastes for cellulose production increases interest worldwide and in sub-saharan countries in particular. That is how the degradability of cellulose in maize cob used for animals feed in Ghana was investigated by Adamafio et al (2009), and the capability of pumpkin cellulose to remove heavy metals was recently studied in Nigeria (Eze et al, 2013). The trend of Abelmuscus esculentus powder to have good swelling and hydration aptitude displayed its strong potential as pharmaceutical raw material in tablet formulation (Bakre and Jaiyeoba, 2009).…”