Optimization of Process Parameters for Gossypol Detoxification in Chemical Disinfected Cottonseed Cake by Mixed Fungal Culture during Solid State Fermentation

Abstract

A solid state fermentation process was optimized for gossypol detoxification in cottonseed cake using mixed fungal culture, <em>Candida tropicalis</em> with <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em>. The effect of fermentation conditions such as initial moisture content, inoculum level, incubation temperature and period were tested for gossypol reduction in chemical disinfected cottonseed cake. The results showed optimized parameters for gossypol detoxification in chemical disinfected cottonseed cake were 70% moisture content, 15% inoculum level, 30° C incubation temperature and 48 h incubation period. The detoxification rates of free gossypol and bound gossypol were 79.5 and 59.5 percentage respectively. The increase in crude protein (13.4 %) and decrease in crude fibre (11.4 %) was recorded in fermented cottonseed cake. This is the first report on solid state fermentation for bound gossypol and crude fibre reduction in cottonseed cake.