Production of Hemicellulolytic Enzymes by a Novel Trichoderma koningiopsis 2OI2A1M and Its Application in the Saccharification of Barley Bagasse

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the ability of the fungus Trichoderma koningiopsis 2OI2A1M to produce enzymes that act in the depolymerization of the lignocellulosic biomass of agro-industrial by-products and its application in the saccharification of barley bagasse. The production of xylanase by the fungus T. koningiopsis 2OI2A1M using the barley bagasse provided the highest activity (53.6 U/mL). The CMCase activity was obtained with carboxymethylcellulose (2.1 U/mL). Among the best inducers for β-xylosidases were sugarcane bagasse (11.8 U/mL) and for β-glucosidases were carboxymethylcellulose (36.4 U/mL) grown for 120 h in submerged culture. The higher production of fermentable sugars from the enzymatic saccharification of in natura barley bagasse, yielded a concentration of total reducing sugars (10.7%), glucose (5.9%) and xylose (1.6%) after 24 h. The comparative analysis of the morphological structure of the barley bagasse by scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the simultaneous action of T. koningiopsis 2OI2A1M enzymes does not require previous structural modifications in the barley bagasse for effectiveness in the saccharification process. Thus, barley bagasse is a candidate for a sustainable alternative to produce fermentable sugars, a primary focus in the production of second-generation fuels.