Optimization of Rhizopus spp. Production as Mycoprotein using Soymilk Media

Abstract

Mycoprotein is food with high protein and fiber content and low in cholesterol made from fungal mycelium. In this research, mycoprotein was produced by Rhizopus spp. isolated from tempeh with soymilk as the growth media. This research aims to determine the best strain of Rhizopus spp. and optimum carbon to nitrogen ratio for mycoprotein production. Two parameters were applied which were inoculum selection and carbon to nitrogen ratio treatment in media. The best inoculum was selected from four strains of Rhizopus spp., ATH1, ATH24, ATH 40, ATH 53. On the other hand, carbon to nitrogen ratio treatment used were as follows 20:1, 20:2, and 40:2. Mycelium dry weight and protein content were measured, as well as reducing sugar, dissolved protein and total volatile base nitrogen concentration in media. The best strain for producing biomass was ATH 24 with 0.60 g of mycelium dry weight per 50 mL of media, and the protein content was 0.236 g. The best carbon to nitrogen ratio treatment was 20:1 with 0.57 grams of mycelium dry weight per 50 mL of  50mL of media and the protein content was 0.20 g. Thus, our data indicate that strain ATH 24 with 20:1 of carbon to nitrogen ratio in media were highly potential for producing mycoprotein.