Solid-State Fermentation Initiated by <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i> of a Cottonseed Cake and <i>Lathyrus clymenum</i> Pericarp Mixture: Impact on Nutritional Profile and Gossypol Content

Abstract

Solid-State fermentation (SSF) is a valuable process used for the enhancement of the nutritional profile of agro-industrial by-products. The main objective of the present study concerns the exploitation of a mixture consisting of Cottonseed Cake (CSC) and Lathyrus clymenum pericarp (LCP) at a ratio of 80–20% w/w, which was utilized as substrate for the initiated by Pleurotus ostreatus SSF process. The final goal is the improvement of their nutritional value and the parallel reduction in their gossypol content. The obtained results revealed a statistically significant increase (p p p < 0.05) that exceeded 9-fold at Day 11. The study herein highlights SSF’s efficiency as a potential means to reduce free and total gossypol content with a parallel upgrade of its nutritional value. The fermentation outcome reveals its potential as a feed supplement and contributes to the reduction in the environmental footprint within the framework of a circular economy.

Keywords

• nutritional upgrade
• gossypol degradation
• protein enrichment
• bioconversion
• feedstuff