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Characterization of hemicellulases from thermophilic fungi

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Abstract

The thermophilic fungi Thermomyces lanuginosus, Malbranchea cinnamomea, Myceliophthora fergusii and the thermotolerant Aspergillus terreus were cultivated on various carbon sources, and hemicellulolytic and cellulolytic enzyme profiles were evaluated. All fungi could grow on locust bean galactomannan (LBG), Solka floc, wheat bran and pectin, except T. lanuginosus, which failed to utilize LBG for growth. Different levels of cellulase and hemicellulase activities were produced by these fungal strains. Depending on the carbon source, variable ratios of thermostable hydrolytic enzymes were obtained, which may be useful in various applications. All strains were found to secrete xylanolytic and mannanolytic enzymes. Generally, LBG was the most efficient carbon source to induce mannanase activities, although T. lanuginosus was able to produce mannanase only on wheat bran as a carbon source. Xylanolytic activities were usually highest on wheat bran medium, but in contrast to other investigated fungi, xylanase production by M. fergusii was enhanced on pectin medium. Preliminary thermostability screening indicated that among the investigated species, thermotolerant glycosidases can be found. Some of the accessory activities, including the α-arabinosidase activity, were surprisingly high. The capability of the produced enzymes to improve the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic pretreated substrate was evaluated and revealed potential for these enzymes.

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Acknowledgments

The financial contribution by CIMO, Finland and UGC, New Delhi is acknowledged. Pekka Maijala is partially supported by the Academy of Finland, project no: 1127961. MSc. Jonathan Coppinger and MSc Tuomas Niskanen are thanked for the technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 27 (Latokartanonkaari 11), 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    P. Maijala, N. Szijarto & L. Viikari

  2. Department of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Dr. Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, 470003, Madhya Pradesh, India

    N. Kango

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  1. P. Maijala
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Correspondence to P. Maijala.

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Maijala, P., Kango, N., Szijarto, N. et al. Characterization of hemicellulases from thermophilic fungi. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 101, 905–917 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-012-9706-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-012-9706-2

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