Construction of strain Penicillium oxalicum with potential increased biomass saccharification in order to produce the second generation ethanol

• Grant number: 17/12546-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Cooperation agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães Pereira
• Grantee: Thaís Gabrielle Silva
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The second generation ethanol (2G) is an alternative to the use of fossil fuels as energy due to its renewable nature and the lower emissions of greenhouse gases in atmosphere. However, the production of ethanol 2G is still considered onerous mainly due to the saccharification step that requires high dosage of enzymes to convert the polymers of biomass into fermentable sugars. In addition to the costs related to the production of these enzymes, logistics, stabilization and the clarification processes also contribute to the high value dispensed at this step. Therefore, obtaining a single microorganism capable of secreting a cocktail rich on cellulases, hemicellulases and accessory activities is highly desirable. In this regard, the filamentous fungi Penicillium oxalicum, given its wide spectrum of CAZYmes secreted under specific growth conditions, emerges as a promise alternative to produce these enzymes. Thus, the aim of this project is to boost the activity of endogenous cellulases from P. oxalicum by cloning glycoside hydrolases from Trichoderma reesei and evaluate their synergistic effect on deconstruction of lignocelullosic biomasses such as energy cane and sugarcane aiming the production of ethanol 2G. (AU)