Fermentation study of Cassava bagasse starch hydrolyzed's using INIAP 650 and INIAP 651 varieties and a strain of Lactobacillus leichmannii for the lactic acid production

Ecuador is an agricultural country, which has an actual production of starch obtained from cassava. Tuber processing residues do not have an economic impact; for example, the cassava bagasse, only used for plant fertilization and animal feeding. This project aimed to study the influence of the fermentation variables (pH and agitation), on the lactic acid production. Enzymatic hydrolysis of cassava bagasse starch for the varieties INIAP 650 and INIAP 651 was performed using α-amylase and glucoamylase. Then, glucose was fermented by Lactobacillus leichmannii ATCC 7830 strains, varying conditions such as agitation (150 rpm and absence) and pH (4.5, 5.0, and 5.5). Finally, the determination of lactic acid was performed by potentiometric and FTIR analysis. Conversions of cassava bagasse to reduced sugars were 71.66 and 85.05 % for INIAP 650 and INIAP 651 varieties. The best lactic acid concentrations were 27.62 and 33.48 g/L, obtained at pH 5.5 and agitation, for INIAP 650 and INIAP 651 varieties. Qualitative analysis conducted by FTIR spectrophotometry confirmed the presence of lactic acid in the reacted products. Lactic acid production from cassava bagasse starch could contribute to the Manabí and Esmeraldas provinces of Ecuador's economic development.