Mathematical modeling of enzymes production using Trichoderma harzianum in submerse fermentation and sugarcane bagasse as carbon source

Author(s)

Lucas Gelain

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química
• Defense date: 2014-01-08

Examining board members

Aline Carvalho da Costa; Jaciane Lutz Ienczak; Antonio Maria Francisco Luiz José Bonomi

• Advisor: Aline Carvalho da Costa; Jose Geraldo da Cruz Pradella

Abstract

Mathematical models are necessary to processes development, because they enable the understanding of the involved phenomena and can be used to scale-up and optimization of operation conditions. The aim of this work was to propose a mathematical model to describe the kinetics of the cellular growth, substrate consumption and enzyme production using Trichoderma harzianum in different sugar cane bagasse concentrations (carbon source). Besides, tests using a capacitance probe to on-line cellular estimation were performed. The sugar cane bagasse concentrations employed were: 5; 10; 20; 30; e 40 g L-1. The 10 g L-1 concentration was used to validate the model and the others to parameters estimation. The enzymes analyzed were cellulase; beta-glucosidase; and xylanase. The estimation of cellular concentration using the capacitance probe is an interesting alternative indicating good correlation between the sign of the probe and the cells in soluble medium. However, the insoluble medium (with sugar cane bagasse) caused interferences that prevented quantitative analysis. Mathematical models were built to describe the five dependents variables (concentrations of cells and substrate, as well as activities of cellulase (FPase), beta-glucosidase and xylanase). The models seem to represent well the kinetics with a good fit for the majority of the assays. Alterations in the models and new assays with different substrate concentration are needed to provide better fit and increase the model trustworthiness (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/19271-1 - Mathematical modelling of cellulolitic enzymes production by filamentous fungi in submerse fermentation
• Grantee: Lucas Gelain
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master