Evolutionary operation-factorial design technique for optimization of conversion of mixed agroproducts into gallic acid.

This article presents the optimization of gallic acid production using filamentous fungi from tannin-rich mixed substrates taking into account the interaction effects of six variable process parameters. The methodology adopted for optimization was the evolutionary operation (EVOP)-factorial design technique. This technique combines the factorial method for designing experiments with the EVOP methodology for analyzing the experimental results systematically and arriving at conclusions according to its decision-making procedure. Standard deviation and error limits based on 95% confidence were calculated according to the relationship given in the literature. It was found that the best combinations of the process parameters at the optimum levels were 30 degrees C, 80% relative humidity, pH 5.0, 48-h incubation period, 3 mL of induced inoculum, and 35 g of mixed substrate, resulting in a gallic acid yield of 94.8% under modified solid-state fermentation.