Use of new strain of Penicillium sp. in the production of xylanase and cellulase

• Grant number: 17/13497-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Geisiany Maria de Queiroz-Fernandes
• Grantee: Rafaela Cabestré
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade do Sagrado Coração (USC). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The process applied in the treatment of residential and industrial waste is characterized by an association of microorganisms capable of degrading toxic substances, generating residual activated sludge. This waste material can be a source of microorganisms with interesting biochemical characteristics such as those capable of producing new products of aggregate commercial value such as antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, antifungal and enzymes of biotechnological interest. Xylanases are enzymes used in the food industry as functional food additives and cellulases are enzymes that can be used in the hydrolysis of lignocellulose during the production of ethanol, in addition to numerous other important application possibilities. The Penicillium sp. which will be used in this study, was isolated through bioprospecting in residual activated sludge donated by a pulp industry in the interior of São Paulo, collected after the continuous treatment process of the acid and alkali effluents generated during the steps of cellulose bleaching. The present study aims to identify the species of this strain of Penicillium sp. and employing it in the production of xylanase and cellulase, furthermore this enzymes will be partially purify and characterize. With the development of this study, we hope to contribute to the discovery of a new fungal strain that can be used as a resource in obtaining products of great biotechnological relevance. (AU)