Statistical optimization of growth media for Paecilomyces lilacinus 6029 using non-edible oil cakes

Abstract

The development of biofriendly and economical alternatives to chemical pesticides is a globally important scientific challenge. In this work, Karanja-based media conditions were optimized for obtaining high production of biomass and spores of a biocontrol agent, the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus 6029, using a two-step statistical approach coupled with rigorous experimentation. In the first step, non-edible Karanja cakewas screened out as a major substrate from other oil cakes. In the second step, biomass production was maximized by applying response surface methodology to experimental variations in key physicochemical factors: carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio and pH. This approach eventually predicted a maximum biomass production of 10.559 g/l with a medium having a C/N ratio of 35.88 and pH 5.9. An experimental production of 10.529 g/l biomass was obtained. The remarkable agreement between the predicted and the experimentally obtained biomass confirm the validity of the approach utilized to maximize production of P. lilacinus. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg and the University of Milan 2013.