Madhu, K M; Dr.Chandrasekaran,M(Cochin University of Science and Technology, April , 2007)
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Abstract:
The beta-glucosidase enzyme purified from the marine fungus, Aspergillus
sydowii BTMFS 55 showed a good yield of enzyme production under solid state
fermentation. The statistical optimization of the media components revealed that
moisture content, concentration of peptone and inoculum are the major parameters
which supported the maximal enzyme production. The purified enzyme showed low
pH activity and stability, glucose tolerance and activation by ethanol. It could produce
ethanol from wheat bran and rice straw by simultaneous saccharification and
fermentation with yeast.The glucosidase purified from Aspergillus sydowii BTMFS 55
shows great potential for several biotechnological applications such as the production
of bio-ethanol from agricultural biomass and improvement in the aromatic character
of wines and fruit juices through the hydrolysis of flavour glucosidic precursors.
There is immense scope for the application of this marine fungus in the biofuel
production besides in other industries provided further studies are pursued in
exploiting this enzyme and the organism particularly scale up studies with respect to
application. There is also ample scope for cloning of the gene encoding beta-glucosidase
in domesticated hosts such as Pichia pastoris or S. cerevisiae that can produce ethanol
directly from cellulosic biomass.
Description:
Department of Biotechnology,
Cochin University of Science and Technology