PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF PLANT FIBRES AND FERULIC ACID RELEASE BY FUNGAL ISOLATES DURING FIBRE DEGRADATION

Abstract: The proximate composition of different plant fibres and the free ferulic acid released by fungal species during their degradation were determined. Fibre samples included sugarcane bagasse and brans of wheat, rice, maize, and barley. Fungal isolates obtained from naturally decayed fibre materials were characterized using phenotypic and molecular techniques and screened individually for ferulic acid production using the plant fibres as substrates. The frequency of occurrence of fungal isolates was: Aspergillus flavus (27.3%), A. niger (18.2%), A. versicolor (9.1%), A. oryzae (9.1%), A. parasiticus (9.1%), Bipolarisspicifera (9.1%), Rhizomucuspusillus (9.1%), and Rhizopusoryzae (9.1%). The proximate composition of the fibres ranged (%, dry weight) as follows: ash (0.17–7.83), moisture (10.35–44.34), protein (6.17–24.94), fat (1.34–7.44), carbohydrate (2.70–25.60), neutral detergent fibre (49.56–74.79), acid detergent fibre (11.05–49.68), and crude fibre (16–46). Ferulic acid production ranged from 0.3 µg/mL by B. spicifera to 4.1 µg/mL by A. oryzae. Wheat bran supported the highest ferulic acid release, highlighting its suitability as a substrate for microbial bioconversion. Keywords: Ferulic acid, proximate composition, fungal degradation, plant fibres. Title: PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF PLANT FIBRES AND FERULIC ACID RELEASE BY FUNGAL ISOLATES DURING FIBRE DEGRADATION Author: Jiboku Olukemi O., Albert Olajumoke M., Salami Oladapo R., Aderibigbe Olaide R. International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies ISSN 2394-9716 Vol. 13, Issue 3, May 2026 - June 2026 Page No: 1-11 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 01-May-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19953370 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/PROXIMATE%20COMPOSITION%20OF%20PLANT%20FIBRES-01052026-3.pdf