Two-stage fermentation method for production of protein-enriched feed from cassava

Studies have been carried out into the production of microbial protein from cassava using Trichoderma reesei and yeast. In monoculture studies, T. reesei was grown on whole cassava medium to give 0.74g dry cell/g cassava. The dry material contained 42% protein. The culture filtrate contained 5.8 g/l glucose, which supported the growth of yeast. Mixed culture fermentation was also carried out with the two microorganisms. Besides accelerating the rate of degradation and conversion of cassava to cells (0.85g cell/g cassava) the yeast boosted the protein content of the growth product to 51%.