| Grant number: | 13/26659-9 |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| Start date: | August 01, 2014 |
| End date: | January 31, 2017 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Microbiology |
| Principal Investigator: | Itamar Soares de Melo |
| Grantee: | Itamar Soares de Melo |
| Host Institution: | Embrapa Meio-Ambiente. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA). Jaguariúna , SP, Brazil |
| City of the host institution: | Jaguariúna |
| Associated researchers: | Ljubica Tasic ; Sonia Claudia Do Nascimento de Queiroz |
Abstract
Fungal breakdown of lignocellulose in tropical forests is of central importance to terrestrial carbon cycling, and the fungus Trichoderma, an ubiquitous colonizer of cellulosic materials, is one of the most frequently isolated in most soils of various ecosystems, and produces cellulolytic enzymes that function synergistically to decompose plant biomass. It make a significant contribution to the decomposition of woody and herbaceus materials. Degradation of lignocellulosic materials to monomeric sugars through the action of cellulolytic enzymes has great importance, since sugars can serve as raw materials that can be converted to ethanol. In addition, some species of this fungus have economic importance because of their production of antibiotics, anticancer compounds, or use as biological control agents. Despite its environmental and industrial importance worldwide, the biodiversity, biogeography and application potential of this fungus in native ecosystems are still negleted topics. As Amazon forest is known for its high biological diversity and high level of endemism, it can provide basic insights on ecological processes, especially related to carbon cycle. The rationale and approach of this project will investigate this fungus which is established prolific producers of novel enzymes, metabolites e biocontrol agents. Isolates will be identified at the species level by the oligonucleotide BarCode for Trichoderma (TrichOKEY), sequence similarity analysis (Trichoblast) and phylogenetic inferences. Thus, the project aims to develop a complete inventary on the diversity ( richness and evenness) of Trichoderma in various habitats of the Amazon forest, and also bioprospecting for hydrolytic enzymes and bioactive compounds, and biocontrol agents. (AU)
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