Developing a Circular Bioeconomy Model for Converting Sunflower Processing Industry Byproducts into Value-added Co-products via Fungal Fermentation

Justification: The underutilized by-products of sunflower processing industry (hulls, screens, and meal) are present in bulk quantities. So, there is an immediate need for proper utilization of these by-products to make sunflower oilseed industry more sustainable. The objectives of this study are: 1) To determine the fermentability of low nutrient sunflower hulls/screens and to observe the associated changes in its chemical composition; 2) To ferment protein rich and lignocellulose rich fractions of fractionated sunflower meal and observe the associated changes in its protein profile and antinutrients; 
Methods: The fermentability of sunflower byproducts was assessed via submerged fermentation (30°C, 200rpm, 5d, 5 fungi: Aureobasidium pullulans, Aspergillus oryzae, Trichoderma reesei, Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus niger).
Results: The chemical composition of the feedstocks were significantly changed by fungal fermentation. Overall, most of the strains increased the crude protein (~20%), decreased the crude fiber (~15%), increased total phenolics (~115%) and decreased the phytic acid (~ 80%) in the feedstocks. Significance: This study justifies the applicability of fungal fermentation for optimal utilization of lignocellulosic feedstocks from sunflower processing in generating nutrient-rich feed ingredients. Using this approach will have a huge implication in making sunflower processing industry more sustainable and economical for farmers where the low value feedstocks are converted into high value products with minimal waste generation.