Utilization of Banana Peel as a Substrate for Single Cell Protein and Amylase Production by Aspergillus niger

The suitability of banana peel medium for Aspergillus niger Single Cell Protein (SCP) and amylase production was studied. Single Cell Protein and amylase production was investigated using media designated as Supplemented Banana Peel (SBP), Glucose Banana Peel (GBP) and Unsupplemented Banana Peel (UBP). Biomass of A. niger protein content, amylase production and pH were determined using standard techniques in the course of submerged fermentation. Analyses of the various media showed that SBP medium produced the highest yield of A. niger biomass 3.05± 0.03 g/L while the least (2.04±0.01 g/L) was from UBP medium at 6 days of fermentation. The highest yield of protein content (0.68±0.00 g/L) and amylase (728.00±18.20 U/mL) was produced from SBP medium. Statistically, the protein content and amylase yield from SBP medium were significant different from UBP medium (p< 0.05). Thus, the study demonstrated that A. niger biomass and amylase production can be enhanced through nutrient supplementation of banana peel medium.