Produção de proteases por fungos isolados no semiárido da Paraíba e na Antártida

Abstract

Proteases are essential constituents of all living beings, since they are involved in essential biological processes such as blood clotting, cell death, tissue differentiation, protein transport across the membrane etc. They also have important biotechnological applicability, because they can be used in food processing, manufacture of detergents, leather processing, meat softening, drug formulation, in the textile industry etc. These enzymes represents about 60% of the global market for industrial enzymes; so, they are considered an important group of enzymes. This work was divided into two stages and aimed to isolate filamentous fungi collected from coconut trees and soil from a coconut located in Varzeas de Sousa, Paraiba, Brazil and do a screening for the production of proteases and to evaluate, in a bioreactor, the production of proteases by the yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa L07. In all, 32 fungi were isolated in Paraiba semiarid. They were grown in rotary shaker and sent to the analysis of proteolytic activity. The specie, originally called Fung1, showed better results in the qualitative stage and was taken to the molecular identification and selected for production in rotary shaker (30°C / 200rpm / 240h). R. mucilaginosa L07, originally from Antarctica, was cultivated in a bioreactor (25°C / 72h), varying agitation and aeration. The maximum enzyme activity by the Fung1, identified as Aspergillus tubingensis, was 29 U.mL^-1, after 144h cultivation. This fungus is not a fumonisin B2 and ochratoxin A producer. The greatest value of proteolytic activity of R. mucilaginosa L07 was 124.88 U.mL^-1 with agitation of 500rpm and aeration 1,0vvm. The results indicated that A. tubingensis produces proteases, but other studies are needed to optimize production and classify proteases. The supply of oxygen to R. mucilaginosa L07 were positive for proteolytic activity, because it increased from 33.36 to 124.88 U.mL^-1 in rotary shaker and bioreactor, respectively.