A New Approach for the Production of Selenium-Enriched and Probiotic Yeast Biomass from Agro-Industrial by-Products in a Stirred-Tank Bioreactor
Sabrina Evelin Martiniano, Letícia Alves Fernandes, Edith Mier Alba, Rafael R. Philippini, Stéphanie Caroline Tavares Tabuchi, Marek Kieliszek, Joana Carolina Freire Sandes Santos, Sílvio Silvério da Silva
Abstract
The production of biomolecules using agro-industrial by-products as feedstock is a growing trend worldwide. Selenium (Se) is a trace element essential for health, and the Se-enrichment of yeast biomass can enhance its benefits. This study investigated the feasibility of the production of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Se-enriched biomass using a medium composed of corn bran and soybean bran acid hydrolysates as carbon and nitrogen sources in a stirred-tank reactor. After hydrolysis, hydrolysates presented complex composition and high concentrations of sugars, proteins, and minerals. The use of a stirred-tank bioreactor leads to the production of 9 g/L S. cerevisiae biomass enriched with 236.93 μg/g Se, and 99% cell viability. Likewise, the combination of sugarcane molasses and soybean bran hydrolysate was effective for cell growth of a probiotic strain of S. cerevisiae with a 24.08% β-glucan content. The results demonstrated that starchy acid hydrolysates are low-cost and efficient substrates for the production of yeast biomass and derivate products and may contribute to further studies for a sustainable development of biorefinery technologies.