Abstrait

Lactic Acid Production from Peels of Kalanchoa thrysflora (Terne) and Opuntia ficus-indica L. (Beles) using Lactobacillus plantarum

Kiros Haddish Tesfamariam

Lactic acid, commonly used in food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, has recently received much attention for the production of biodegradable materials. For the cost effective production of this organic acid, cheap raw material is one of the key inputs. Therefore, this research paper aimed in the generating of lactic acid through batch fermentation from two carbohydrate rich wastes particularly kalanchoa thrysflora and Opuntia ficus-indica L. (commonly found in northern Ethiopia, Tigray region) by using Lactoctobacillus plantarum as a starter culture. The result revealed that during the fermentation period (a duration of 6 days), the maximum lactic acid production was noticed in the 3rd day (Exponential phase) and at this stage Beles fruit peels hydrolysate produced about 8.4 g/L of lactic acid and Terne peels hydrolysate produced 5.8 g/L of lactic acid. Therefore, this research clues the procedure for the wise and environmentally friend employing ways of fruit wastes for beneficial purposes instead of disposing them to the environment.