Evolution of T. harzianum strains and performance in submerged bioreactor for the biosynthesis of cellulase for second generation ethanol production

• Grant number: 12/24581-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2013
• End date: April 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Aline Carvalho da Costa
• Grantee: Patrícia dos Santos Costa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/57873-8 - An integrated process for total bioethanol production and zero CO2 emission, AP.BIOEN.TEM

Abstract

The objective of this work is the genetic improvement of Trichoderma harzianum P49P11 isolated from the Amazon biome and posterior optimization of the culture medium in order to increase cellulases production. The enzymes will be used in the hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse with the aim of second generation ethanol production. In order to achieve this goal, at first experimental assays will be performed to define the biosynthesis conditions for the wild strains. Then mutation of the wild fungus will be performed using UV light and the best cellulase producer will be selected to be subjected to a new mutation through the ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenic agent. Finally, the composition of the culture medium for the best cellulase producer selected will be optimized. Bioreactor fermentations will be performed with the selected fungus in the optimized culture medium and the enzymatic extract will be used to hydrolyze pretreated sugarcane bagasse.