title: Microbial degradation and utilization of cassava peel.
abstract: Cassava peel was readily degraded and utilized by a strain ofRhizopus growing in a solid-state fermentation. Growth was maximal at 45°C and was proportional to the degree of hydrolysis of the peel. The yield of biomass, as weight of dry mycellum from the reducing sugars of the peel, was 51%. After 72 h fermentation, the peel contained 76% moisture, 6% cellulose, 7% hemicellulose and 0.4% ash and the protein content had increased from 5.6% to 16%. These results suggest a possible economic value of cassava peel in the production of fungal biomass and feedstock.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Food and Industrial Division, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Ofuya
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Nwajiuba