Protein enrichment of cashew waste with yeast for animal alimentation

Abstract

The objective of this research was to identify the best ratio of yeast inoculum on the cashew waste, and also to determine the adequate period of yeast fermentation to achieve a reasonable protein content. The yeast species used was Saccharomyces cerevisiae up to 10% inoculation on cashew pulp (on the basis of fresh weight) and the fermentation up to 72 hour. Protein concentration higher than 20% (dry weight basis) was attainned with yeast inoculum of 10% on the cashew pulp but the proteic net yield was lower than 5% of the yeast inoculum on cashew pulp. The best treatment was a fermentation time lower than 24 hour and yeast inoculum ratio of 5%. It is concluded that yeast fermentation of cashew pulp permits to obtain a proteic ration similar to cotton cake.