Statistical optimization of molasses based exopolysaccharide and biomass production by Aureobasidium pullulans MTCC 2195

In the present study, optimization of exopolysaccharide (pullulan) and biomass production by Aureobasidium pullulans was carried out by four factor—five level central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Four factors namely molasses, KH2PO4, yeast extract and pH were chosen for the optimization studies and their significance on exopolysaccharide and biomass production was statistically analyzed by ANOVA. A second order polynomial model for exopolysaccharide and biomass production was constructed by using the estimated regression coefficients. Optimized values of molasses, KH2PO4, yeast extract and pH for targeted response of pullulan (45 g/L) and biomass (12.5 g/L) were predicted as 5.0%, 0.22%, 0.25% and 6.4%, respectively. Result of this study shows that utilization of molasses has significantly improved the exopolysaccharide production and also make the process cost effective.