Darus, F.M., Zainol, S., Vadiveloo, J., Yusof, M.N. 2005.

Solid State Fermentation Of Rice Husks By White-Rot Fungi. In: Noor,

F.F.M., Mohamad, A.A., Rashid, A.A., Abdullah, A.Z., Teong, L.K. and Saleh, S.M. (Ed.). Proceeding of the 3rd Workshop on
Regional Network Formation for Enhancing Research and Education on Material Engineering and Green Energy Technologies,
Parkroyal Hotel, Batu Feringi, Pulau Pinang. 7 – 10 August 2005. pp: 48.

SOLID STATE FERMENTATION OF RICE HUSKS BY WHITE-ROT FUNGI

Fairus Muhamad Darus1*, Suhana Zainol1, J.Vadiveloo1, Mohd. Nizam Yusof1
1
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Mara, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
*corresponding author, tel: +60355444607; fax:+60355444562, e-mail: fairusmd@salam.uitm.edu.my

KEY WORDS: rice husks, solid state fermentation, Pleurotus sajor caju, Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract
In this study, whole and ground husks were treated (washed)
with 4% NaOH for 21 days. Washed and unwashed husks
were fermented by two fungal species, Pl. sajor caju and P.
chrysosporium. Fermentation of washed ground husks by Pl.
sajor caju for 25 days reduced the NDF from 89.7% to
81.5% and from 93.1% to 83.2% for P. chrysosporium. As
for the IVD, the values were improved from 17.1% to 38.1%
and 19.9% to 31.4% respectively. Unwashed substrates did
not respond to fermentation. The same pattern occurred to
the fermentation done using whole husks. The study
concludes that fermentation by white–rot fungi improves the
degradation of washed rice husks.
Results & Discussions

Washed husks were lower in TA and IA; higher NDF
and IVD peaked after 10 and 25 days due to NaOH
effect in hydrolysing hemicellulose and de-polymerises
lignin [4].

With Pl. sajor caju, NDF was 81.5% and IVD was
38.1%; while 83.2% and 31.4% for P. chrysosporium
respectively.

For unwashed husks, the NDF values were 77.1% with
Pl. sajor caju and 74.3% with P. chrysosporium.

No improvement in the IVD values for unwashed husks
fermented.

Introduction
Rice husks comprise primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose
and lignin. Its potential as animal feeds are considered low in
nutritive value due to high lignocellulose and silica content
which can not be utilized. These unutilized components,
when disposed, will contribute to environmental problems.
Solid state fermentation by white-rot fungi can remove
lignin preferentially and effectively degrade the
lignocellulose [1]. However white-rot fungi are substrate
specific, Pleurotus sajor caju can ferment wheat and rice
straw, rubber wood and sawdust, Phanerochaete
chrysosporium can ferment corn stalks [2].
Materials & Methods
Whole and ground husks were treated with 4% NaOH
solution for 21 days followed by washing with water to pH7.
Unwashed and washed husks were fermented by two fungal
species, Pl. sajor caju or P. chrysosporium for 0, 10 and 25
days. All treatments received a mixed mineral solution of
0.2% KH2PO4 and 0.05% MgSO4. Substrates were
autoclaved before inoculation with the fungus. Fermentation
was conducted in the dark at 27oC and 24oC respectively for
Pl. sajor caju and P. chrysosporium. Fermented substrates
were analyzed for total ash (TA), insoluble ash (IA), neutral
detergent fibre (NDF), crude protein and in vitro digestibility
(IVD). Treatment differences were compared by an analysis
of variance [3].
Conclusion

Pl. sajor caju and P. chrysosporium successfully grew
on the washed husks.

Reductions in NDF and increases in IVD show the
superiority of Pl. sajor caju over P. chrysosporium.

Fermented washed husks have a potential as animal feed
with low NDF and high IVD value.
References
[1] Akin, D.E., Rigsby,L.L., Sethuraman, A., Morrison III,
W.H., Gamble, G.R. and Eriksson, K.E.L (1995),Alteration
in Structure, Chemistry and Biodegradability of Grass
Lignocellulose Treated with White Rot Fungi Ceriporiopsis
subvermispora and Cyanthus stercoreus, Applied
Environmental Microbiology, 61:1591-1598
[2] Kerem, Z., Friesem, D., Hadar, Y., (1992),
Lignocellulose Degradation during Solid-State
Fermentation: Pleurotus ostreatus versus Phanerochaete
chrysosporium, App. and Env. Microbiology, 58:1121-1127
[3] Statistical Analysis System Institute Inc, (1987), SAS
User Guide: Statistics Version 6, Statistical Analysis System
Institute Inc, Cary N.C.
[4] Saha, B. C. (2003), Hemicellulose Bioconversion,
Journal of Industrial Microbiology Biotechnology, 30:279-
291

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