This study focused on the isolation, identification, and utilization of the mycota present in
distillery yeast sludge as source of single cell protein. Seven fungal isolates were described and
identified. These include three species of yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Meyen ex E.C. Hansen,
Candida parapsilosis (Ashford) Langeron and Talice, and Candida guilliermondii (Castellani)
Langeron et Guerra) and four species of molds (Aspergillus flavus Link, Aspergillus niger van
Teigh, Aspergillus japonicus Saito var japonicus, and Rhizopus sp.).
The ability of the fungal isolates to produce single cell protein was evaluated by
determining the crude protein content (CPC) of the distillery yeast sludge after 14 days of solid
state fermentation. Results revealed that inoculation of the seven taxa produced significantly higher
percentage CPC of the distillery yeast sludge. Apparently, S. cerevisiae-treated distillery yeast
sludge had the highest percentage CPC of 33.7% and the highest percentage increase in CPC of
34.3%, while Rhizopus sp.-treated distillery yeast sludge had the lowest of 21.8%. Thus, the present
study indicates the great potential of the seven taxa as source of single cell protein using the
distillery sludge as substrate.