Abstract
Description of the subject. Extracellular enzymes from filamentous fungi are increasingly used in eco-friendly biotransformation processes. Their relevant technological role and their stability towards extreme process conditions make of them the first sustainable solution for the elaboration of bio-based products from biomass conversion. Objectives. This paper describes the isolation of filamentous fungi from decaying plant material in the region of Meknes (northern central Morocco) and the assessment of their ability to breakdown lignocellulose. The objective is to select performant fungi with enzymatic machinery adapted to local environment and with potential for the breakdown of the regional specific lignocellulosic by-products into potentially high-value molecules. Method. Cereals, decaying wood, olive-pomace and -pulp and their composts were used to isolate lignocellulolytic fungi. One hundred twenty-seven pure strains were isolated and screened at 25 °C on selective media with cellulose or lignin as the sole carbon source. Performant strains were validated for the production of ligno-cellulolytic enzymes and identified using molecular technique. Results. Twenty-eight fungi had mycelial diameter on cellulose ≥ 6 cm and cellulolytic index ≥ 0.9. Twenty-two strains had the same profile on lignin medium. The production of endoglucanase, lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase enzymes was confirmed in performant strains using qualitative assay and molecular identification revealed that the best performing fungi were Mucor circinelloides, Mucor racemosus, Penicillium brasilianum, Penicillium crustosum, Paecilomyces sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Aspergillus fischeri, Curvularia spicifera, Humicola grisea, Trichoderma atroviride and Cosmospora viridescens. Measurement of ligno-cellulolytic activities revealed that Penicillium and Fusarium strains mainly from wood decay and compost had the best profiles among performing strains. Conclusions. Isolated fungi are high decomposers of biomass and represent a prominent solution to develop green bioprocesses in the region.
Highlights
The current economic and industrial model. with its heavy reliance on mineral materials and energy sources is fast becoming untenable
Fusarium and Aspergillus strains in cereals and wood decay is concordant with other studies
In Morocco. they were cited as field pathogens invading the growing seeds of cereals in the pre-harvest stage (Hajjaji et al.. 2004; Roussos et al.. 2006; Ennadir et al.. 2012) and were reported for the implication in complex breakdown of decaying wood. among a variety of other microbes (Blanchette. 1984; Eriksson et al.. 1990; Wertz. 2010; Berrin et al.. 2012)
Summary
The current economic and industrial model. with its heavy reliance on mineral materials and energy sources is fast becoming untenable. On one hand the continuous production of waste. Biotechnology is nowadays the first option capable of supplying the world with new and innovative alternatives to face environmental challenges and promote a green and sustainable industrial approach. Industrial or white biotechnology aims to transform materials through the use of biological agents such as microorganisms or enzymes It can open up the way to the development and marketing of new high-value molecules that would otherwise be very difficult to produce from fossil raw materials. These specific and biotechnologically derived products may be more socially acceptable with lower environmental and human health impact. The global market for sustainable products is growing steadily and is estimated at over 20 billion euros in 2025 The global market for sustainable products is growing steadily and is estimated at over 20 billion euros in 2025 (Kircher. 2012)
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