Formulation of a fermentation substrate from pineapple and sacha inchi wastes to grow Weissella cibaria

Gold honey variety pineapple wastes and sacha inchi sub-products (SIS) were characterized in their elemental, physical, and chemical form in order to formulate a supplemented fermentation substrate (SFS) for the growth Weissella cibaria. The peels and fresh cores of the pineapple (FPP, FPC) were dried and ground (PPP, PPC) and then mixed (MCPP). The following procedures were then undertaken: a physicochemical characterization (moisture, a_w, pH, acidity, and soluble solids) of the SIS, FPP, FPC, PPP, and PPC; a proximal characterization of he FPP, FPC, SIS, and SFS; and an elemental analysis (C-N₂-H₂-O₂-S) of the MCPP, SIS, and W. cibaria, which allowed the stoichiometric equation to be defined and the SFS to be formulated. We then evaluated the effect that homogenization and heating to boiling point had on the concentration of reducing sugars in the SFS (g L^-1). Finally, W. cibaria´s kinetic fermentation parameters were evaluated in the SFS and in a commercial substrate (control). The results showed FPP and FPC yields of 26.02 ± 0.58 and 14.69 ± 1.13%, respectively; a higher total sugar content in FPC (7.21%) than in FPP (6.65%); a high crude protein content in SIS (56.70%), and a C:N₂ ratio of 6.50:1.00. Moreover, the highest concentration of reducing sugars (4.44 ± 0.29 g L^-1) in the SFS was obtained with 5 h of hydrolysis under homogenization pre-treatments and heating until boiling. The SFS allowed the adaptation of W. cibaria, and there was a biomass production of 2.93 g L^-1 and a viability of 9.88 log CFU mL^-1. The formulation of an unconventional fermentation substrate from -Agro-industrial wastes of pineapple and sacha inchi to produce valuable products (such as lactic acid biomass through fermentation), is an excellent perspective for large-scale application.