Production of protein-rich fungal biomass from pistachio dehulling waste using edible Neurospora intermedia

Abstract Pistachio dehulling waste, known as Pistachio byproduct mixture (PBM), is a valuable resource that is often overlooked. An effective sustainable approach involves utilizing this agricultural waste through a fermentation process using edible filamentous fungi, demonstrating potential applica...

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Main Authors: Javad Toghiani, Narges Fallah, Bahram Nasernejad, Amir Mahboubi, Mohammad J. Taherzadeh, Neda Afsham
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81941-7
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author Javad Toghiani
Narges Fallah
Bahram Nasernejad
Amir Mahboubi
Mohammad J. Taherzadeh
Neda Afsham
author_facet Javad Toghiani
Narges Fallah
Bahram Nasernejad
Amir Mahboubi
Mohammad J. Taherzadeh
Neda Afsham
author_sort Javad Toghiani
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Pistachio dehulling waste, known as Pistachio byproduct mixture (PBM), is a valuable resource that is often overlooked. An effective sustainable approach involves utilizing this agricultural waste through a fermentation process using edible filamentous fungi, demonstrating potential applications in nutrition and animal feed. The focus of this study was on converting PBM extract obtained from a hot water extraction pre-treatment into a protein-rich fungal biomass of Neurospora intermedia. The optimal conditions for growth were achieved at 72 h, pH 5.5, and 30 °C which are achieved by one-factor-at-a-time approach (OFAT), resulting in 6.7 g/L of dried fungal biomass, with a protein content of 20.4%. The conversion efficiency, expressed as grams of fungal biomass per gram of initial Total COD, was 0.37 g/g, highlighting the significant potential of PBM extract with high COD levels and low sugar content for fermentation processes. Additionally, an investigation was carried out to assess the impact of inoculation method, culture adaptation, COD/N ratio, and pH control on fungal biomass growth during cultivation. The results of optimal conditions with response of fungal biomass growth showed production of 0.44, 0.45, and 0.49 g of fungal biomass per gram of initial total COD, with protein contents of 20.2%, 27.1%, and 18.6%, respectively, leading to improved fungal biomass yield. The resulting protein-rich fungal biomass with a focus on the biorefinery platform to complete the value-added cycle, holds promise for applications in various sectors including food, animal feed, biochemical, and biomaterial industries.
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spelling doaj-art-d0786f22cd2c4047890fecb2b406d8fc2025-08-20T03:13:12ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111010.1038/s41598-024-81941-7Production of protein-rich fungal biomass from pistachio dehulling waste using edible Neurospora intermediaJavad Toghiani0Narges Fallah1Bahram Nasernejad2Amir Mahboubi3Mohammad J. Taherzadeh4Neda Afsham5Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of TechnologyDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of TechnologyDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of TechnologySwedish Centre for Resource Recovery, University of BoråsSwedish Centre for Resource Recovery, University of BoråsDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of TechnologyAbstract Pistachio dehulling waste, known as Pistachio byproduct mixture (PBM), is a valuable resource that is often overlooked. An effective sustainable approach involves utilizing this agricultural waste through a fermentation process using edible filamentous fungi, demonstrating potential applications in nutrition and animal feed. The focus of this study was on converting PBM extract obtained from a hot water extraction pre-treatment into a protein-rich fungal biomass of Neurospora intermedia. The optimal conditions for growth were achieved at 72 h, pH 5.5, and 30 °C which are achieved by one-factor-at-a-time approach (OFAT), resulting in 6.7 g/L of dried fungal biomass, with a protein content of 20.4%. The conversion efficiency, expressed as grams of fungal biomass per gram of initial Total COD, was 0.37 g/g, highlighting the significant potential of PBM extract with high COD levels and low sugar content for fermentation processes. Additionally, an investigation was carried out to assess the impact of inoculation method, culture adaptation, COD/N ratio, and pH control on fungal biomass growth during cultivation. The results of optimal conditions with response of fungal biomass growth showed production of 0.44, 0.45, and 0.49 g of fungal biomass per gram of initial total COD, with protein contents of 20.2%, 27.1%, and 18.6%, respectively, leading to improved fungal biomass yield. The resulting protein-rich fungal biomass with a focus on the biorefinery platform to complete the value-added cycle, holds promise for applications in various sectors including food, animal feed, biochemical, and biomaterial industries.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81941-7Filamentous fungiNeurospora IntermediaPistachio dehulling wasteProtein-rich biomassWaste valorization
spellingShingle Javad Toghiani
Narges Fallah
Bahram Nasernejad
Amir Mahboubi
Mohammad J. Taherzadeh
Neda Afsham
Production of protein-rich fungal biomass from pistachio dehulling waste using edible Neurospora intermedia
Scientific Reports
Filamentous fungi
Neurospora Intermedia
Pistachio dehulling waste
Protein-rich biomass
Waste valorization
title Production of protein-rich fungal biomass from pistachio dehulling waste using edible Neurospora intermedia
title_full Production of protein-rich fungal biomass from pistachio dehulling waste using edible Neurospora intermedia
title_fullStr Production of protein-rich fungal biomass from pistachio dehulling waste using edible Neurospora intermedia
title_full_unstemmed Production of protein-rich fungal biomass from pistachio dehulling waste using edible Neurospora intermedia
title_short Production of protein-rich fungal biomass from pistachio dehulling waste using edible Neurospora intermedia
title_sort production of protein rich fungal biomass from pistachio dehulling waste using edible neurospora intermedia
topic Filamentous fungi
Neurospora Intermedia
Pistachio dehulling waste
Protein-rich biomass
Waste valorization
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81941-7
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