Browsing by Author "Popoola Temitope"

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    Biosynthesis of Ascorbic Acid by Aspergillus Flavus and Aspergillus Tamarii Immobilized in Afzelia Africana Matrix.
    (Food and Applied Bioscience Journal, 2018) Banjo Temitope Temitayo; Kareem Sarafadeen Olateju; Akinloye Oluseyi Adeboye; Popoola Temitope
    A novel matrix for the immobilization of ascorbic acid produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus tamarii was reported. Spores of A. flavus and A. tamarii were immobilized on Afzelia africana matrix cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (2.5%) and the effects of Afzelia africana gel concentration (9–13%), spore load (100–500 mg/100 ml), bead size (2–7 mm) and bead number (2–10) on ascorbic acid yield were determined. The immobilized fungi were cultured in a liquid fermentation medium containing BSG (0.6% w/v) for ascorbic acid production for 144 h. The ascorbic acid produced was quantified titrimetrically. The statistical analysis of the effects of gel concentration, spore load and bead size on ascorbic acid production showed no significant difference at p>0.05. However, there was significant difference in the effect of bead number on ascorbic acid production at p<0.05. Ascorbic acid yield of 8.5 g/L and 7.5 g/L was produced by Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus flavus respectively using 9 beads at 96 h of fermentation. The immobilized Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus flavus retained activities of 72% and 70% respectively after five repeated cycle and also exhibited increased activities over the free cells. This study shows the potential of Afzelia africana as a novel matrix for enhanced ascorbic acid production.