Abstract

Ability of 10 fungi strains for the degradation of ferulic acid and production of vanillic acid was examined. The findings suggested that all the fungi were able to degrade ferulic acid via different pathways producing variety of products. Vanillic acid was the main bioconversion product for all the fungi strains. Aspergillus niger K8 was chosen as a more suitable fungus for conversion of ferulic acid to vanillic acid, due to its highest potential to produce high concentration of vanilic acid (116 mg/l) compared to other fungi. Bioconversion proves was further carried out with Phanerochaetechrysosporium ATCC 24725 for production of vanillin from vanillic acid produced by A. niger K8. The vanillin production (44.8 mg/l) was significant from the economical aspect, due to the cheapness and available source of ferulic acid as a substrate and short time for bioconversion of ferulic acid to vanillic acid.

Key words: Aspergillus niger K8, biotransformation, ferulic acid, Phanerochaetechrysosporium ATCC 24725, vanillic acid, vanillin.