Using Amazon forest fungi and agricultural residues as a strategy to produce cellulolytic enzymes

• Published in: Biomass & bioenergy 2012-02, Vol.37, p.243-250
• Main Authors: Delabona, Priscila da Silva, Pirota, Rosangela D.P. Buzon, Codima, Carla Aloia, Tremacoldi, Célia Regina, Rodrigues, André, Farinas, Cristiane Sanchez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agro-industial residues; Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Amazon forest; Applied sciences; Aspergillus fumigatus; Bagasse; Bioethanol; Biofuel production; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Cellulases; Energy; Enzymes; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Miscellaneous; Solid state fermentation
• ISSN: 0961-9534; 1873-2909
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.12.006

The successful strategy to produce cellulolytic enzymes includes both microorganism selection and improved fermentation process conditions. This work describes the isolation, screening and selection of biomass-degrading fungi species from the Amazon forest and analyzes the enzymatic complex produced by a selected strain of Aspergillus fumigatus cultivated using different agro-industrial residues (wheat bran, sugarcane bagasse, soybean bran, and orange peel) as substrate in solid state fermentation (SSF). The profile of endoglucanase (CMCase), FPase, β-glucosidase and xylanase enzymatic activities obtained during 120 h of cultivation is presented. Enzyme activities up 160.1 IU g−1 for CMCase, 5.0 FPU g−1 for FPAse, 105.82 IU g−1 for β-glucosidase and 1055.62 IU g−1 for xylanase were achieved. The enzymatic extract with higher CMCase activity was used to run a zymogram analysis that showed 3 bands of endoglucanase activity. Characterization studies of this extract showed that the CMCase was most active at either 65 °C or pH 3–3.5, indicating that this microorganism produces a thermophilic and acid endoglucanase. These data demonstrate that the fungal isolates from the Amazon forest are a potential source of cellulases and xylanases, providing support to further studies related to the use of these microorganisms to obtain the enzymes needed for biomass conversion. ► Cellulase production is a critical step in the economics of second generation ethanol. ► Screening of microorganism can contribute to finding new cellulolytic enzymes. ► Amazon forest fungi were able to efficiently produce cellulases and xylanases.