Cutinases obtained from filamentous fungi: comparison of screening methods

Abstract

Cutinases are secreted by filamentous fungi that and hydrolyze polymers. However, few selection methods for cutinases are available. Here, we studied three screening methods using 33 strains of filamentous fungi isolated from banana rachis with high potential to produce cutinases. In the first method, strains were grown in Czapec-Dox mineral medium containing flaxseed oil. We note that six strains of the genera Fusarium, Penicillium, and Mucor had cutinase activity. The second method evaluated strains with triacetin in rhodamine B, which indicated what strains had esterase property. Finally, strains were subjected to fermentation with flaxseed oil; lipolytic and cutinolytic activity were determined. The species identified as the best producers of cutinases were Fusarium fujikuroi and Penicillium chrysogenum, and we obtained two extracellular cutinases with activities of 33.5 U/mL and 39.4 U/mL respectively. Cutinase was confirmed via degradation of tomato cutin through FTIR.