biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)Aquinas NManipal Academy of Higher Education, ManipalIn this study, the upstream and downstream production processes of curdlan from Priestia megaterium were optimized to enhance its yield. Additionally, a novel extraction method was developed for curdlan recovery. Optimization studies were conducted using Central composite design (CCD). Curdlan yield improved from 0.15 g/L (unoptimized) to 0.46 g/L (3-fold increase) when fermentation was carried out in CCD-optimized media of (w/v) sucrose 20%, urea 0.1%, KH₂PO₄ 0.02%, agitation speed 250 rpm. To further enhance curdlan yield during extraction, ultrasonication was incorporated as a novel step into the conventional method of acid/alkali-assisted curdlan recovery. A two-step optimization was chosen for extraction, namely, one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) and CCD, wherein the oScientific reports26709https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11535322biostudies-literatureOptimization of curdlan production and ultrasound assisted extraction processes from Priestia megaterium.PMC11535322Ramananda BMAquinas NSelvaraj SfalseOptimization of curdlan production and ultrasound assisted extraction processes from Priestia megaterium.In this study, the upstream and downstream production processes of curdlan from Priestia megaterium were optimized to enhance its yield. Additionally, a novel extraction method was developed for curdlan recovery. Optimization studies were conducted using Central composite design (CCD). Curdlan yield improved from 0.15 g/L (unoptimized) to 0.46 g/L (3-fold increase) when fermentation was carried out in CCD-optimized media of (w/v) sucrose 20%, urea 0.1%, KH₂PO₄ 0.02%, agitation speed 250 rpm. To further enhance curdlan yield during extraction, ultrasonication was incorporated as a novel step into the conventional method of acid/alkali-assisted curdlan recovery. A two-step optimization was chosen for extraction, namely, one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) and CCD, wherein the o2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2025-04-20T03:54:56.008Z2025-04-20T03:54:56.008ZS-EPMC115353223949669910.1038/s41598-024-77880-y