Characterization of lipase(s) produced by the mesophilic fungus Penicillium corylophilum for cultivation in solid state and assessment of the technological potential in biodiesel production

• Grant number: 14/22860-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2015
• End date: August 10, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Orlando Bonilla Rodriguez
• Grantee: Camila Telles de Bessa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This work aims to establish a purification protocol and a biochemical characterization of the extracellular lipase(s) produced by the mesophilic fungus Penicillium corylophilum. The biochemical characterization will perform both structural and functional characterizations (isoelectric point, molecular mass, enzyme activity and stability, effects of temperature, pH, surfactants and ions), besides the determination of kinetic parameters (Vmax, Km, catalytic efficiency) using chromogenic substrates. Lipase(s) will be obtained by Solid State Cultivation (SSC), using sugarcane bagasse and 1 % soybean oil. The purification protocol will be established by chromatography and precipitation techniques. The technological potential of the partially purified lipase(s) in the production of biodiesel from soybean oil will be evaluated by using it as a catalyst for transesterification reactions.