Effect of media composition and growth conditions on production of beta-glucosidase by Aspergillus niger C-6.

The hydrolytic activity of fungal originated beta-glucosidase is exploited in several biotechnological processes to increase the rate and extent of saccharification of several cellulosic materials by hydrolyzing the cellobiose which inhibits cellulases. In a previous presentation, we reported the screening and liquid fermentation with Aspergillus niger, strain C-6 for beta-glucosidase production at shake flask cultures in a basal culture medium with mineral salts, corn syrup liquor, and different waste lignocellulosic materials as the sole carbon source obtaining the maximum enzymatic activity after 5-6 d of 8.5 IU/mL using native sugar cane bagasse. In this work we describe the evaluation of fermentation conditions: growth temperature, medium composition, and pH, also the agitation and aeration effects for beta-glucosidase production under submerged culture using a culture media with corn syrup liquor (CSL) and native sugar cane bagasse pith as the sole carbon source in a laboratory fermenter. The maximum enzyme titer of 7.2 IU/mL was obtained within 3 d of fermentation. This indicates that beta-glucosidase productivity by Aspergillus niger C-6 is function of culture conditions, principally temperature, pH, culture medium conditions, and the oxygen supply given in the bioreactor. Results obtained suggest that this strain is a potential microorganism that can reach a major level of enzyme production and also for enzyme characterization.

Screening of potential antibiotic action of cellulolytic fungi.

Twenty different strains of filamentous fungi were initially selected for evaluation of cellulolytic activity using a single test in a simple mineral salts culture medium with filter paper as the only carbon source. Those fungi strains that were capable of completely breaking the filter paper strip within 4-8 d were assayed also for antimicrobial action, using Staphyloccocus aureus ATCC 6538P according to the so-called agar piece method. We screened three different strains with both capacities: the production of cellulolytic activity and antibiotic action. The experimental results suggest that the fungi Penicillium sp. F0PC01, Aspergillus sp. F0Q001, and Cephalosporium sp. F03800 have both capabilities because they grew rapidly on cellulose as the only carbon source and were able to produce an area of growth inhibition in S. aureus of approx 2.04, 1.57, and 2.39 cm, respectively, on agar plates using the agar piece method. Subsequently, the antibiotic production obtained with those cellulolytic strains was evaluated by submerged fermentation at the flask level, in a simple culture medium containing lactose without biosynthesis precursor, obtaining 3670, 2830, and 4060 antibiotic units/mL, referred to as penicillin G, whereas for cellulolytic activity, the results were 1.34, 1.81 and 0.57 FPU/mL, respectively.

Submerged culture screening of two strains of Streptomyces sp. with high keratinolytic activity.

Keratinases can be used for the production of potentially important hydrolyzed proteins and chemicals. This study investigated the keratinolytic activity of Streptomyces sp on keratinaceous materials like wool. High levels of proteolytic and keratinolytic activity were obtained after 96 h of culture when two Streptomyces sp strains were grown on basal medium containing mineral salts and 3% (w/v) of defatted wool as a source of energy, carbon, and nitrogen. The cell-free culture filtrates exhibited rapid proteolytic digestion of keratin powder. Currently, the authors are testing whether the enzymatic activity obtained is in fact keratinolytic, and not only an alkaline protease activity.