Bioproduction of riboflavin from molasses and lentils

Fermentation studies were carried out for the bioproduction of riboflavin with an agroindustrial byproduct, molasses as the carbon source and lentils as the nitrogen source using E. ashbyii strain. With the previously recommended 1.5% (w/v) molasses, lentils at a concentration of 3% (w/v) was found to be the optimum. Acidic medium was found to be favorable for riboflavin production when the molasses to lentils ratio was greater than one and neutral medium when the ratio was one. Effect of agitation on vitamin production was also studied and it was observed that 300 rpm gives a higher yield of product.