Production and purification of lipase by Geotrichum candidum from corn cob cellulosic hydrolysate Medium

• Grant number: 24/13969-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Rita de Cássia Lacerda Brambilla Rodrigues
• Grantee: Gabriela Aparecida Braga Silva
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Lipases are versatile enzymes with wide-ranging industrial applications, including the food, pharmaceutical, biofuel, and textile sectors. The growing demand for sustainable processes highlights the need to explore new sources for enzyme production. Geotrichum candidum, a filamentous fungus capable of metabolizing various substrates, shows promising potential for lipase production. In this project, corn cob, an abundant agro-industrial residue, will be used as a raw material for lipase production. The complex lignocellulosic composition of corn cob requires efficient pretreatments; in this case, twin-screw extrusion and organosolv processes will be employed to fractionate the cob components, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis to obtain a glucose-rich solution. The strain Geotrichum candidum UFMG-CM-Y7142, provided by the Culture and Cell Collection of the Department of Microbiology at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), will be used in this study. This project, part of a doctoral research program of the Department of Biotechnology (PPGBI) at EEL/USP, marks the first study to explore lipase purification with this newly isolated strain. The obtained hydrolysate will be used as a carbon source, along with nutrients and fatty acids, to promote the growth of Geotrichum candidum and lipase production. The enzyme will be partially purified using solvent precipitation and salt precipitation techniques, aiming to optimize its purity and activity. The project aims to obtain an enzymatic hydrolysate rich in fermentable sugars from corn cob (CC), which will be pretreated by extrusion and organosolv. This hydrolysate will be used as a substrate for fermentation with Geotrichum candidum UFMG-CM-Y7142, seeking to maximize the production of extracellular lipases. Purification methods for lipases will be evaluated, using both organic solvent precipitation and salt precipitation, comparing the efficiency of both methods in terms of yield and purity. The purified lipases will be characterized regarding their biochemical properties, including enzymatic activity, protein concentration, and molecular weight, ensuring the quality and functionality of the obtained enzymes. This study aims not only to improve the efficiency of lipase production but also to contribute to sustainability by utilizing agro-industrial residues, aligning with the principles of the circular economy. The relevance of this research lies in the exploration of new methods for microbial lipase production, potentially expanding the use of biocatalysts in industrial processes.