ABSTRACT
In the 1970s, Solid-state fermentation (SSF) rose to prominence with the discovery of mycotoxins as a product of SSF fungal metabolism. SSF has continued to build up credibility in biotech industries due to its versatile applications in the production of biologically active secondary metabolites as well as feedstock, biofuel, fine chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The solid matrix could be the source of nutrients or simply a supporting material impregnated with all the nutrients that are required for microbial growth. Even SSF plays important role in food industry and research continues exploring the technology for further improving the food products. An extension of the SSF is to combine it with a second, liquid culture in the same vessel after an initial phase on solid medium. Biomass is a fundamental parameter in the characterization of microbial growth. Specific components in the biomass can be measured to estimate the growth of the microorganisms.
