Deficiency in protein is increasing worldwide especially in developing countries. Protein from microbial biomass termed as Single Cell Protein (SCP) can be considered as an alternative to conventional source of food. This research work was carried out to produce single cell protein from orange peels by Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from spoilt tomato fruit and to optimize cultural condition in order to obtain a maximum amount of biomass concentration thus, the protein quantity. The proximate content of the peel was analysed using standard method. Carbohydrates was 59.96%, fibre (14.03%), moisture (12.07%), fat (9.11%), ash (5.21%) and protein (1.02%). Results of this study revealed that the optimum pH in which a maximum growth (1790 ppm) of biomass was obtained was at pH 7.0 after 120 hours of incubation. The effect of Incubation temperature showed that maximum biomass growth (1145 ppm) was obtained at 37°C after 96 hours of incubation. Effect of substrate concentration revealed that biomass concentration increased with increase in substrate concentration. Maximum protein with minimal nucleic acid content was obtained at incubation temperature of 37°C. In conclusion, it may not be favourable to incubate the fermentation medium at temperature above 55°C and pH below 4.0 for production of SCP using Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Six grain samples namely barley, maize, millet, rice, sorghum and wheat were tested for enzyme levels (amylase, protease and lipase) in order to assess their malting characteristics, using barley as a standard. The levels of the enzymes were estimated in the whole dry grains, 24h steeped, 24h sprouted and 48h sprouted grains. A combined statistical analysis of linear regression and analysis of variance were used to test for enzyme interaction, similarities and interspecific relationship between the cereals. The estimated interspecific relationship between sorghum and barley was 84% based on the three enzymes, while millet had 75%. All the sprouted cereals with the exception of the standard barley had high lipase levels. This possibly suggests certain limitations as regards to production of off-flavours. Malt prepared from maize, sorghum, rice and millet had comparable protease levels with barley (P>0.05). The malts prepared from maize, millet, rice, sorghum and wheat had comparatively low alpha-amylase levels when compared with the standard barley. Multiple linear regressions showed amylase was dependent on lipase and protease. The relationship was not affected by either soaking (steeping) or sprouting of the grains. The implications of these findings suggest that a combination of these cereals might give good malt for food applications.

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Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) seeds are often discarded, while its fruits are eaten. In this study, effects of processing either by roasting or drying of the seeds was assayed by analyzing proximate, mineral and vitamin A contents for possible boasting of animal feeds. The proximate analysis and vitamin A determination were performed using standard methods. Mineral elements content was determined by Atomic Absorptions Spectrophotometry (AAS). The results of the proximate composition of processed and unprocessed watermelon seeds had moisture content of 6.29% and 5.06%, ash content 2.59% and 2.98%, crude fat 47% and 32.9%, crude protein 68.04% and 49.7%, crude fibre 1.13% and 2.10% and carbohydrate 24.99% and 6.06% respectively. The elemental composition of both processed and unprocessed seeds showed that magnesium and sulphur contents were higher in unprocessed than processed seeds, while potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc and manganese contents of both processed and unprocessed seed were statistically similar. The crude fats, proteins and carbohydrates contents of the processed seeds were significantly higher (p<0.001) compared with the unprocessed seeds. The vitamin A content of both processed and unprocessed seeds were found to be 0.033 µg/g and 0.056 µg/g respectively. However, vitamin A content of the unprocessed seeds was higher when compared with the processed seed. Therefore, the result of this study recommends that both processed and unprocessed Citrullus lanatus seeds may serve as suitable candidates in feed formulation.