Bioconversion of oil palm frond to reducing sugar in solid state fermentation by applying water-fed strategy

Abstract

Tones of Oil Palm Frond (OPF) waste from oil palm industries may affects the environment when released without proper treatment. Conversion of oil palm frond fiber into reducing sugar in the Solid State Fermentation (SSF) using Aspergillus fumigatus culture provide alternative for usage of these biomass. In this study, effect of the particle size of oil palm frond fiber and moisture content to the production of reducing sugar in SSF were investigated. Two particle size of OPF used are 100 and 250 μm while moiture level was set at 60, 70 and 80% (w/v). The fermentation process was carried out for 10 days. Effect of moisture was further analyzed by applying water-fed strategy. All fermentation using water-fed strategy yielded higher production of sugar than compared to others. Pmax of 4.446 g L-1 was achieved at 70% moisture level using 250 μm OPF while maximum Yp/s achieved was 0.442 (g g-1) in 80% moisture level using 250 μm OPF. Statistical analysis showed both particle size of oil palm frond fiber, 100 and 250 μm has no significant different towards production of reducing sugar in SSF by Aspergillus fumigatus. Statistically, moisture content of fiber does not significantly affect the production of reducing sugar but using water-fed strategy does gives significant difference. Sufficient moisture in SSF had increased the efficiency of fungus enzymatic system due to water holding capacity of substrate improved. Analysis two-way ANOVA suggest that presence of water fed has significant different towards production of reducing sugar in SSF and result in higher production of reducing sugar.