Analysis of cellulolytic enzyme production by cave fungal strains

• Grant number: 22/12843-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: February 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Mirna Helena Regali Seleghim
• Grantee: Maria Julia Carniatto
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Caves present extreme conditions, especially in their aphotic zones, which offer difficulties for the development and growth of most organisms, selecting those adapted to these conditions. For this reason, they are ideal environments for obtaining microorganisms, including fungal strains, which produce enzymes with high biotechnological potential. Currently, the degradation of cellulose for the production of second-generation biofuels is at the center of research into renewable energy production, as they present themselves as a less impacting alternative to the environment when compared to fossil fuels. Two articles were published by our research group demonstrating the high cellulolytic activity of filamentous fungi isolated from Gruta do Catão, São Desidério - BA. In these works, two strains stood out for presenting higher endoglucanase and total cellulase activity, when compared to the standard strain Aspergillus niger 3T5B8 used by Embrapa. Given the high potential for degradation of lignocellulosic matter that these fungal strains presented, this project aims to continue the lineof research aimed at qualitative and quantitative enzymatic tests of the enzymatic production of fungal strains isolated from a stremophilous environment, in this case, the aphotic zone of the São Bernardo cave located in the municipality of São Desidério - BA.