Production of Aspergillus niger Biomass from Rice Bran

C.E. Oshoma and M.J. Ikenebomeh

Growth of Aspergillus niger on rice bran medium in submerged fermentation was studied using standard methods for determinations of dry biomass, total crude protein and final pH values. It was observed that A. niger biomass cropped on rice bran medium supplemented with glucose, (NH₄)₂SO₄, KH₂PO₄, MgSO₄.7H₂O and ZnSO₄.7H₂O designated as Glucose supplemented rice bran (GRB) medium was highest at 2.03±0.02g/l while the unsupplemented rice bran medium (RBM) has the lowest value of 0.97±0.00g/l. The effect of various nitrogen sources on the final biomass yield was compared. Ammonium sulphate [(NH₄)₂SO₄] gave the highest biomass yield of 1.95±0.03g/l and sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) had the lowest yield of 0.97±0.02g/l. Glucose and nitrogen supplements increased biomass yield.