Nisin Production with Lactic Acid Bacteria during Soy Processing Industry Wastewater Remediation

Principal Investigator:

Samir Khanal, samirk@iastate.edu (other projects)

Co-Principal Investigator:

• Budhhi Lamsal (other projects)
• Anthony Pometto (other projects)
• Hans van Leeuwen, leeuwen@iastate.edu (other projects)

Project Status: In Progress

Start Date: 09/01/2005
End Date: 08/31/2006


Research Objective: The proposed research aims to investigate the feasibility of nisin production from soy whey and other soy waste streams. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), particularly Lactococcus lactis will be grown in soy whey as a growth medium in both suspended and biofilm reactors. The bioreactors will be optimized to maximize nisin yield. High organic strength, nitrogen and phosphorus, and availability of many micro-nutrients, make soy whey an ideal feed stock for high-value nisin production. The whey stream is released at high temperature under aseptic condition, eliminating the need for sterilization to produce food grade nisin. The generation of high value nisin from low or negative value soy waste streams will not only generate revenue, but will also help reduce the organic and nitrogen pollution associated with disposal. This research will have broad application in all the soy-processing industries in Iowa and the nation.

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