Production and Characterization of Carboxymethylcellulase by Submerged Fermentation of <i>Moniliophthora perniciosa</i>

Abstract

Microorganisms that are capable of degrading lignocellulolytic materials can produce extracellular cellulase complexes. Microorganisms are an excellent alternative for the production of cellulolytic complex, since these sources have a high power of multiplication. In this work, we researched the production by the fungus <em>Moniliophthora perniciosa</em>. The production and pH and temperature optimum optimization were studied by Response surface methodology and carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) characterization. Thermal stability was evaluated at 60, 70, 80 and 90°C. Doehlert experimental design<em> </em>was employed using inductor concentration in five levels (3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 g L<sup>-1</sup> of yeast extract) and fermentation time was studied in three levels (7, 14 and 21 days). The production of CMC enzyme was higher in the concentration of 7.0 g L<sup>-1</sup> of yeast extract and 19 days fermentation time. CMCase showed optimum pH and temperature at 7.2 and 47°C, respectively. The CMCase retained 88.66% of residual activity after 30 minutes of incubation at 90°C. Due to the characteristic of thermal stability, this enzyme will be studied to be expressed in recombinant microorganisms.