Enzymatic diversity of filamentous fungi isolated from forest soil incremented by sugar cane solid waste

Fungi are natural degraders of organic matter which can produce enzymes for many industrial and biotechnological applications. In this context, crude enzymatic extracts of fungal isolates were evaluated regarding their hydrolytic and ligninolytic abilities. The fungal strains were isolated from soil samples from Atlantic Rain Forest Park incremented with sugar cane biomass (filter cake), which allowed the selection of efficient lignocellulolytic enzymes. A total of 190 fungi were isolated and evaluated by endocellulase screenings. Thirteen fungi were selected about their hydrolytic and ligninolytic abilities. Among them, three isolates showed xylanolytic activity. Eleven of the isolates were selected by their cellulolytic abilities. Proteolytic enzymes were also detected for three fungi, allowing the classification as metalloprotease and serine protease. The isolates SPZPF3_47 (Mucor sp.), SPZPF1_129 (Byssochlamys nivea) and SPZPF1_141 (Paecilomyces saturatus) were selected for further investigation on their lignin peroxidase abilities. K-M, V-max and k(cat) apparent for lignin peroxidases were also determined. The strain of Mucor sp. (SPZPF3_47) was highlighted since this fungal genus was not well described about its isolation in the adopted conditions in our study, and showing ligninolytic abilities.

Automated summary

In this study, 13 fungal isolates with hydrolytic and ligninolytic abilities were selected from soil samples from the Atlantic Rain Forest Park incremented with sugar cane biomass, three of which showed xylanolytic activity and eleven showed cellulolytic abilities. Proteolytic enzymes were detected in three fungi, leading to their classification as metalloprotease and serine protease. Additionally, the strain Mucor sp. (SPZPF3_47) was highlighted for its ligninolytic abilities, particularly as this fungal genus had not been well described in the specific conditions of the study.