Humic acid production by fermentation of waste from palm oil processing using Trichoderma strains

• Grant number: 10/15767-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2011
• End date: July 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Maria Helena Andrade Santana
• Grantee: Fernanda Lopes Motta
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Humic acids (HA) are organic macromolecules with numerous properties and high structural complexity. In agriculture, its direct effects on yield and quality of many crops have been exploited since 1940 and the last decade there has been considerable growth in its use in medicine and biology. These acids have prophylactic and therapeutic activities such as antiviral, pro-fibrinolytic, anti-inflammatory and estrogen, can prevent stomach and intestinal problems, contributing to increased immunity, and protect against some cancers. Currently, commercial production of HA occurs by the extraction of peat and coal, and although its origin is still poorly understood, it is believed that lignin is its precursor. Empty-fruit-bunches (EFB), fibers composed of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, are wastes from the processing of palm oil accumulation which brings environmental problems due to the attraction and proliferation of pests. Despite the few published studies (2), the EFB proved promising for the production of HA. Whereas the incentive and increasing production of palm oil in tropical countries including Brazil, which expects to be the largest producer of palm fruit in the coming years, production of medicinal compounds from agro-industrial residues becomes attractive. In this context, the objective of this work is the fermentative production of HA from EFB using Trichoderma strains. The approach will involve the optimization of the composition of culture medium containing EFB and the conditions of pH and temperature in submerged and solid state, through experimental design and response surface analysis. The HA produced will be recovered, purified and characterized as to its composition and molecular weight. The proposed research brings innovation with regard to developing a biotechnological process for production of HA in order pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, contributes to adding value to the EFB and reducing environmental problems arising from their disposal.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MOTTA, Fernanda Lopes. Produção de ácidos húmicos por fermentação de resíduos do processamento de óleo de palma utilizando cepas de Trichoderma. 2013. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química Campinas, SP.