Fungal pellets of Pleurotus ostreatus and Rhizopus stolonifer for biotechnological applications: Characterization and production optimization using Taguchi methodology

Filamentous fungi are known for their significant potential in biotechnology, thanks to their versatile enzyme systems with various applications. However, dealing with their growth patterns and structural configurations presents significant challenges. To tackle these issues, fungal pellets are emerging as potential solutions, providing compact biomass aggregates that offer distinct advantages for bioprocesses. This study delves into characterization and optimizing pellet formation for Pleurotus ostreatus and Rhizopus stolonifer using the Taguchi methodology, aiming to enhance their biotechnological applications. By systematically varying parameters such as agitation level (AL), glucose concentration (GC), and inoculum size (IS), we identified key factors influencing pellet formation. Results indicate that P. ostreatus forms pellets in rich media from mycelium, while R. stolonifer requires a minimal medium with pH modifications for pelletization via a coagulative mechanism. The optimization process reveals that agitation level is a crucial factor for maximizing pellet production in both models, while the other factors do not seem to influence the process significantly but impact the morphology and quantity of pellets. The results suggest that by optimizing parameters using the Taguchi method, it is possible to achieve acceptable pellet formation performance in both fungi. Understanding these factors is essential for improving the efficiency of biotechnological processes involving fungal biomass, providing valuable insights into enhancing fungal pellet production for various applications.