Abstract
Fungi have a prominent status in fermentation for the production of different bio-products. Endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal plants are particularly formidable in their adaptability to solid state fermentation as an extension of its natural habitat and are also a potent source of broad-spectrum cellulolytic enzymes. We report for the first time the use of endophytic fungus isolated from Aegle marmelos for enhanced cellulolytic enzymes production from groundnut shell (GNS) as substrate. ImageJ software identified Trichoderma harzianum as an endophytic fungus having maximum radial growth rate. A systematic comparison of the endophytic fungus with Aspergillus oryzae, under solid state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF) conditions was performed and enhanced cellulase production was observed by the endophytic fungus (4.27 FPU/ml) under SSF environment compared to SmF (2.35 FPU/ml). A comprehensive understanding of the systemic breakdown in the structural integrity of the biomass has been achieved using a synergy of enzyme assay protocols, spectral and thermal based techniques. The use of endophytic fungi in SSF systems in our study lays the basis for the production of other industrially important enzymes. The present study opens the door for the synergistic use of endophytic and epiphytic fungi for the production of cellulolytic enzyme.
Highlights
Fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy source used to make products such as chemicals, solvents, lastics, synthetic fabrics, and lubricants; the major end use being transportation fuels [1]
We have earlier worked with A. oryzae for cellulolytic enzyme production [9, 29], we considered as reference fungus
In the current study we have introduced the use of Image J software as a chemical free and rapid screening technique
Summary
Fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy source used to make products such as chemicals, solvents, lastics, synthetic fabrics, and lubricants; the major end use being transportation fuels [1]. Natural gas and battery operated vehicles are alternatives to liquid fuels but not cost effective and the technology is at its early stage [1]. A study reported that ethanol from cellulosic biomasses reduces 85% of greenhouse gases emission over gasoline [4]. An extension to cellulosic ethanol from biomass has been the use of agricultural wastes for bioethanol production [5, 6]. The agro crop residues being the most abundant source of carbon in nature have significantly helped to alleviate global warming and balance the growing global energy demands [6]
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