Dados do Trabalho

Título

OPTIMIZATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF EXTRACELLULAR CELLULASE INDUCTION MEDIUM FROM SUGARCANE BAGASSE-DERIVED CELLULOSE

Introdução

The increasing demand for novel products in the biotechnology market coupled with the abundance of agro-industrial waste in Brazil has prompted various industrial sectors to seek efficient methods for producing high-value extracellular
enzymes from microorganisms. Among these enzymes, cellulases are of particular interest because of their potential applications in the food industry in the production of fruit juices and winemaking processes. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a cellulose rich growth medium that could stimulate the secretion of extracellular cellulases by
isolating bacteria from fermented milk.

Material e Métodos

Two samples of fermented milk were used to isolate and identify bacteria, which were screened for their ability to produce extracellular cellulases in a synthetic medium containing carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as a carbon
source. The positive strains were subsequently cultivated in a medium containing sugarcane bagasse cellulose to simulate the industrial conditions. To assess the effectiveness of enzymatic activity, the hydrolysis capacity index (HC) was calculated based on the ratio between the halo zone and the diameter of the bacterial colony

Resultados e Discussão

Of the 16 isolates, two were found to be capable of growing and producing extracellular cellulases in both the synthetic medium containing the target polymer and the medium derived from sugarcane bagasse

Conclusão

Lignin is hydrophobic and resistant to degradation, which impedes the action of hydrolytic enzymes. Therefore, the development of an adapted enzyme, such as that identified in this study, is essential for the effective degradation of natural cellulose. The strains used in this study are well-suited for use in the food industry because of their ability to degrade more complex molecules than those found in synthetic media. This demonstrates the potential for using microorganisms and their metabolites in industrial processes, particularly in the food sector. Additionally, research that explores this type of technology contributes to industries increasingly adopting sustainable practices in the processing of their products and waste.