Use of inexpensive nitrogen sources and starch for l(+) lactic acid production in anaerobic submerged fermentation

l(+) Lactic acid fermentation was studied by Lactobacillus amylophilus GV6 under the influence of inexpensive nitrogen sources (red lentil-RL, and Baker’s yeast cells-YC) and starch by response surface methodology (RSM). Central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was employed to determine maximum lactic acid production at optimum values for process variables RL, YC and incubation period (IP) and a satisfactory fit model was realized. Lactic acid production was significantly affected by RL and IP interactions as well as by independent variables RL and YC. Maximum lactic acid production of 13.5 g/15.2 g starch was obtained with RL 0.8%, YC 1% and IP of 48 h, with 92% lactic acid yield efficiency (g lactic acid produced/g substrate utilized) and 40% increase (from 50 g to 92 g/100 g starch utilized) in lactic acid production. This is the first report on response optimization in direct fermentation of starch to lactic acid using inexpensive nitrogen sources substituting peptone and yeast extract in anaerobic submerged fermentation by amylolytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB).