Elya Mufidah, Audrya Nasywa Veliska, Adib Maula Mifzal, Farida Rahayu, Maghfira Selia Irawati, Yusuf Wibisono, Sri Suhartini, Maharani Pertiwi Koentjoro
Corncob is an abundant lignocellulosic residue whose conversion to high-value chemicals remains challenging. Here, we report the first Multiple Parallel Fermentation (MPF) that couples Aspergillus niger ATCC 16888, Aspergillus flavus ATCC 26946 and Lactococcus lactis ATCC 19435 in one pot for L-(+)-lactic acid production. The fungi supplied complementary cellulase- and xylanase-rich enzyme suites, while LAB rapidly fermented the released sugars. Enzyme activities, consortium compatibility and fermentation conditions were systematically optimized through Taguchi design (temperature 35–39 °C, pH 6.0–7.0, substrate 3–7%). The optimum setting—39 °C, pH 6.0, 7% corncob—yielded 1.783% w/v optically pure L-lactate in 48 h, outperforming earlier corncob processes by 19–55%. ANOVA assigned ~81% of the variance to temperature, confirming its dominant role, whereas substrate concentration and pH accounted for 14% and 4%, respectively. This is the first dual-fungus MPF on corncob. The dual-fungus strategy thus maintains a steady monosaccharide pool that sustains rapid LAB metabolism. Single-step MPF shortens processing time, avoids chemical hydrolysis and valorizes agricultural waste, offering a scalable route to food-grade L-lactic acid and PLA precursors within a circular-bioeconomy framework. © 2025 Mendel University in Brno. All rights reserved.
Bioprocess Engineering Study Program, Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Brawijaya, Malang, 64145, Indonesia; Research Center for Applied Microbiology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia; Biology Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Brawijaya, Malang, 64145, Indonesia; Department of Agricultural Industry Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Brawijaya, Malang, 64145, Indonesia; Postgraduate School, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 64145, Indonesia
