OPTIMIZATION OF GLUCONIC ACID PRODUCTION USING TERNARY FEEDSTOCKS AND MIXTURE DESIGN METHODOLOGY

This project is aimed to optimize the production of gluconic acid using ternary feedstocks composed of pineapple peels, watermelon peels, and orange peels. Employing Design Expert software, a D-optimal mixture design was implemented, with Penicillium chrysogenum selected as the fermenting microorganism. The methodology involved varying the proportions of pineapple peel, watermelon peel, and orange peels in the fermentation medium according to the experimental design generated by Design Expert. Following fermentation, gluconic acid yield was quantified, and the results were compared with the predictions obtained from the D-optimal mixture design. The analysis of the experimental data demonstrated a close relationship between the predicted gluconic acid yields and the actual values obtained from the fermentation experiments. For instance, in Run 1, the actual gluconic acid yield was 19.7 g/L, whereasthe D-optimal predicted value was 20.97 g/L. Similarly, in Run 5, the actual yield was 23.66 g/L, in close agreement with the predicted value of 23.98 g/L. The optimal run, determined based on the highest gluconic acid yield, was Run 8, with an actual yield of 25.63 g/L, closely matching the D-optimal predicted value of 25.46 g/L. This study shows the efficiency of using ternary feedstocks for gluconic acid production and highlights the value of mixture design methodology in optimizing fermentation processes for bioproduct synthesis.