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Cellulolytic Potential of Thermophilic Species from Four Fungal Orders

Summary

This research investigated how different heat-loving fungi break down plant material through their enzymes. The study is important for understanding how to better convert plant waste into useful products like biofuels and chemicals. The researchers found that different strains of the same fungal species can have very different abilities to break down plant material, and that some fungi produce enzymes that work better at high temperatures than others. Impacts on everyday life: • More efficient production of biofuels from plant waste • Development of better laundry detergents that work at high temperatures • Improved processing of paper and textile products • More environmentally friendly industrial processes that use less energy

Background

Fungi are important organisms for degradation of plant material in nature through secreted enzymes that remain stable under harsh conditions. These properties make fungal enzymes suitable for industrial use, such as in biorefineries for biomass conversion and in paper, textile and detergent industries. While biomass decomposition by mesophilic fungi has been extensively studied, thermophilic fungi can produce more thermostable enzymes that function at temperatures up to 70°C, making them valuable for industrial applications.

Objective

To investigate and compare the cellulolytic potential of 16 thermophilic fungi from the three ascomycete orders Sordariales, Eurotiales and Onygenales and from zygomycete order Mucorales, covering all fungal orders that include thermophiles. The study aimed to characterize their ability to grow on crystalline cellulose and analyze their secreted cellulose-degrading enzymatic activities.

Results

All 16 fungi could grow on microcrystalline cellulose, though some required yeast extract supplementation. Of the 16 fungi, 13 produced measurable endoglucanase activity. Talaromyces leycettanus showed the highest activity, more than five times higher than the second most active fungus. Most fungal endoglucanases had optimal activity at pH 4-6, except Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae which peaked at pH 8. Thermostability varied widely between species. The study successfully amplified and sequenced 22 new cellulase genes from the fungi.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that thermophilic fungi from all four orders can degrade cellulose. The main differences in cellulolytic potential and thermostability of the secretome did not correlate to fungal order. Different isolates of the same species showed varying cellulolytic potential, suggesting strain-specific rather than species-specific capabilities.
  • Published in:AMB Express,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1186/2191-0855-3-47
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