Production of Kojic Acid by Aspergillus niger M4 with Different Concentrations of Yeast Extract as a Nitrogen Source

Abstract

In agro-industrial processes, microorganisms that are not pathogenic and that generate molecules are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The Aspergillus niger fungus has different industrial applications, being used to produce citric acid and 166 other secondary metabolites. The objective of this research was to optimize a culture medium to induce the production of kojic acid (KA) by the Aspergillus niger M4 strain in a liquid fermentation process. Four fermentative kinetics were developed in flasks, using different levels of yeast extract in (1) 0.05 g/L, (2) 0.10 g/L, (3) 2.5 g/L, and (4) 2.5 g/L + Zinc sulfate. The culture medium conditions influenced the formation and speed of biomass and the synthesis and yield of KA. The optimum production points were from 72 h and 96 h with 0.552 g/L and 0.510 g/L of KA using 2.5 g/L of yeast extract and with a pH of 5.5. The Aspergillus niger M4 strain had the ability to produce kojic acid, which was induced by the concentration of the nitrogen source.

Optimization of production and evaluation of Microbial kojic Acid obtained from Sugarcane Molasses (SCM) by Aspergillus sp.

“…After the fermentation period ended, the biomass was recovered by filtering it through Whatman filter paper (No. 113), washed three times with distilled water, and dried for an entire night at 70 °C to determine its dry mass (DM) [18].…”

Special Issue on “Secondary Metabolites: Extraction, Optimization, Identification and Applications in Food, Nutraceutical, and Pharmaceutical Industries”

“…For instance, Quiterio-Gutiérrez et al [1] reported the different industrial applications of the non-pathogenic Aspergillus niger fungus. The study dealt with the production of kojic acid by the A. niger M4 strain using different concentrations of yeast extract + Zinc sulfate, which in turn were shown to influence the formation, speed of biomass, synthesis, and yield of Kojic acid.…”