Study of fungal enzymatic efficiency in transesterification and hydrolysis reactions from native vegetable oils aiming biotechnological applications

• Grant number: 17/25011-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2018
• End date: June 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Biochemistry of Microorganisms
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Maria de Lourdes Teixeira de Moraes Polizeli
• Grantee: Mariana de Souza Rocha
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Lipases are capable to promote oil hydrolysis in monoacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, fatty acids and glycerol. These enzymes are produced by microorganisms that can be easily extracted from ecosystems. Targeting industrial applications, the enzymatic reactions have gained attention for being able to form products with high degree of purity through mild execution conditions. The goal of the following study will be to identify the best fungal lipase producers, selected from the Micoteca of Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto - USP, Microbiology and Cell Biology laboratory and to induce the lipase production for its utilization as catalyst in the transesterification reaction for biodiesel production as well as the hydrolysis for the essential production of fatty acids, from native vegetable oils (Açaí, Pracaxi, Tucumã, Pequi, Macaúba, among others). The enzymatic immobilization has proven to be efficient in the bio catalysis; therefore, the fungal lipases produced will be tested in the free and immobilized forms. The immobilization will be carried in hydrophobic supports as Octyl-sepharose and Decaoctyl Sepabeads and in ionic supports as MANAE-agarose, Q-sepharose and DEAE-agarose, with the purpose to identify the better method of lipase utilization to produce biodiesel and essential fatty acids. In addition, the physical-chemistry characteristics of the products will be determined and the data obtained will be analyzed to verify compatibility with regulatory standards established by Brazilian and European agencies. From the obtained results, it will be possible to verify the enzymatic catalysis effectivity, using fungal lipases for biotechnological applications as biodiesel production and/or essential fatty acids application in the food industries. (AU)

Academic Publications

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

ROCHA, Mariana de Souza. Study of fungal enzymatic efficiency in transesterification and hydrolysis reactions from native vegetable oils for biotechnological applications. 2019. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.