Improved itaconic acid production by Aspergillus niveus using blended algal biomass hydrolysate and glycerol as substrates

Superfluous algal biomass hydrolysate and purified glycerol obtained from biodiesel production were utilized for the production of itaconic acid by Aspergillus niveus. The lipid extracted Gracilaria edulis algal biomass residual was subjected to a pretreatment for the enhanced production of itaconic acid. Glycerol acquired from biodiesel production was pretreated and utilized as a substrate for itaconic acid production. The effect of individual and combined substrate concentration on itaconic acid production was investigated. Ultrasonication combined with the acid pretreated algal biomass produces higher itaconic acid due to the higher level of the total carbohydrate content (58.47 +/- 2.57% w/v). After 168 h of incubation, A. niveus utilizes algal biomass hydrolysate and purified glycerol as substrate and produced 31.55 +/- 1.25 g/L of itaconic acid and the dry cell weight is 18.24 +/- 0.23 g/L respectively. Glycerol and algal biomass hydrolysate was a potential substrate for itaconic acid production by fungal species.