Statistical optimization of cellulases by Talaromyces thermophilus utilizing Saccharum spontaneum, a novel substrate

BACKGROUND: At present, cellulases are the most important enzymes worldwide, and their demand has been increasing in the industrial sector owing to their notable hydrolysis capability. RESULTS: In the present study, contrary to conventional techniques, three physical parameters were statistically optimized for the production of cellulase by thermophilic fungi by using response surface methodology (RSM). Among all the tested thermophilic strains, the best cellulase producing fungus was identified as Talaromyces thermophilus ­ both morphologically and molecularly through 5.8S/ITS rDNA sequencing. The central composite design (CCD) was used to evaluate the interactive effect of the significant factors. The CCD was applied by considering incubation period, pH, and temperature as the model factors for the present investigation. A second-order quadratic model and response surface method revealed that the independent variables including pH 6, temperature 50 C, and incubation period 72 h significantly influenced the production of cellulases. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the established model was significant (P 0.05) and showed the high adequacy of the model. The actual and predicted values of CMCase and FPase activity showed good agreement with each other and also confirmed the validity of the designed model. CONCLUSIONS: We believe the present findings to be the first report on cellulase production by exploiting Kans grass (Saccharum spontaneum) as a substrate through response surface methodology by using thermophilic fungus, Talaromyces thermophilus.

Antimicrobial activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibition by extracts from chromatin modulated fungi

ABSTRACT Major health challenges as the increasing number of cases of infections by antibiotic multiresistant microorganisms and cases of Alzheimer's disease have led to searching new control drugs. The present study aims to verify a new way of obtaining bioactive extracts from filamentous fungi with potential antimicrobial and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities, using epigenetic modulation to promote the expression of genes commonly silenced. For such finality, five filamentous fungal species (Talaromyces funiculosus, Talaromyces islandicus, Talaromyces minioluteus, Talaromyces pinophilus, Penicillium janthinellum) were grown or not with DNA methyltransferases inhibitors (procainamide or hydralazine) and/or a histone deacetylase inhibitor (suberohydroxamic acid). Extracts from T. islandicus cultured or not with hydralazine inhibited Listeria monocytogenes growth in 57.66 ± 5.98% and 15.38 ± 1.99%, respectively. Increment in inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity was observed for the extract from P. janthinellum grown with procainamide (100%), when compared to the control extract (39.62 ± 3.76%). Similarly, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity increased from 20.91 ± 3.90% (control) to 92.20 ± 3.72% when the tested extract was obtained from T. pinophilus under a combination of suberohydroxamic acid and procainamide. Concluding, increases in antimicrobial activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibition were observed when fungal extracts in the presence of DNA methyltransferases and/or histone deacetylase modulators were tested.