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Surveying of Acid-Tolerant Thermophilic Lignocellulolytic Fungi in Vietnam Reveals Surprisingly High Genetic Diversity

Summary

This research discovered new heat-loving fungi in Vietnam that can break down plant waste materials under hot and acidic conditions. These fungi produce special enzymes that remain stable at high temperatures and acidic environments, making them valuable for industrial applications. Impact on everyday life: – Could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly processing of agricultural waste – May improve animal feed production through better feed additives – Could help develop new industrial processes that use less energy and harsh chemicals – May contribute to more sustainable biofuel production – Could reduce costs of various industrial processes that require heat-stable enzymes

Background

Thermophilic fungi represent a valuable source of industrially relevant enzymes, particularly for biomass degradation. While there are an estimated 3 million fungal species in nature, only about 50 species have been found to grow at temperatures between 50-60°C. These thermophilic fungi are typically found in decomposing plant matter where heat is generated through microbial activity.

Objective

To isolate and characterize acid-tolerant thermophilic fungi from Vietnam capable of producing thermostable lignocellulolytic enzymes that can function under acidic conditions, using untreated rice straw as the sole carbon source.

Results

78 fungi belonged to 12 species of Ascomycota and 3 species of Zygomycota, while 27 strains represented 23 previously unknown genetic groups within the genus Thielavia. Maximum growth temperatures ranged from 50-60°C. The enzymes produced by the novel Thielavia strains showed both higher thermal stability and tolerance to acidic conditions compared to known species. Most isolates produced CMCases that exhibited higher activities at pH 3 than at pH 5 or 7, with many retaining over 75% activity after treatment at 70°C.

Conclusion

The study revealed an unexpectedly high genetic diversity of thermophilic fungi in Vietnam, particularly within the genus Thielavia. The novel strains produced thermostable enzymes active under acidic conditions, highlighting the vast potential of untapped fungal diversity in the tropics for industrial applications.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Isolation and Characterization Study,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-019-40213-5
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