Production of Single Cell Protein with Three Agro-Shell Wastes Using Bacillus subtilis

In this study, Bacillus subtilis isolated from decaying pineapple fruit peel was identified by both phenotypic and molecular techniques and employed for the production of single cell protein from three agricultural wastes: melon, groundnut and walnut shells. Chemical analysis showed these agro-wastes to contain high amounts of carbohydrate which ranged from 61.26 - 65.12 %. Using submerged fermentation, maximum yield of cell biomass was produced from the groundnut shell followed by melon shell as substrate for fermentation. Among different nitrogen sources employed, yeast extract was the most suitable nitrogen source for optimum growth of B. subtilis at pH 7.0. The result of this study shows that bio-protein can be produced from these agro-wastes instead of discarding them into the environment indiscriminately to cause pollution.