VALORIZATION OF Wolffia globosa LEAVES FOR PROBABLE AQUAFEED INGREDIENT

Solid state fermentation (SSF) of Wolffia globosa leaves was carried out by an autochthonous phytase producing bacteria Bacillus subtilis (HM352551) isolated from the hindgut of Labeo bata, a freshwater teleost. Optimum phytase production was monitored after incubation for 8 days at 350C temperature with 60% moistening media at pH 7. Maximum phytase activity was exhibited with 3% (v/w) inoculum size (12.38 ± 0.05 U/g) and 60% initial moisture content (13.46±0.08 U/g). Laboratory analysis of proximate composition revealed that there was significant increase (t-value significant at P < 0.05) in the contents of crude protein, lipid, minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, P), different amino acids level; along with sharp decline in the contents of the other antinutritional factors, for example, crude fiber, phytic acid, and trypsin inhibitor and heavy metals. Further investigation must be carried out for future application of the gut inhabiting bacteria in bio-processing of low cost aquatic weeds.