DYNAMICS OF GROWTH OF SUGAR-CANE MICROBIOTES IN SACCHARINA PRODUCTION

Three samplings daily were carried out in the Saccharina industrial pl ant with the objective of studying the dynamics of growth of the sugar cane microbiote during the process of Saccharina production. The samp les were taken from various microsites of one of the fermentation cham bers every two hours for 24 hr plus the final product. In each sample microbial growth indicators were observed. Optical density (OD) augmen ted as fermentation time increased. Maximum counting of yeasts was obs erved 12 hr after fermentation. An increase of ammonia level of 0.26 t o 13.8 meq/litre during the period of 24 hr was observed. No variation was found in lactic acid concentration, lignin and cellulose. No sign ificant concentrations of alcohol and acetone were encountered. The gr owth curve in this product shows a typical exponential curve of microb ial growth in pure cultures. The microbial population duplicates its b iomass every 5.2 min. The results show that with the new solid state f ermentation process it is possible to obtain an increase of bacterial population, and in turn of protein biomass during the drying phase wit hout the utilization of inoculum.