Production and Characterization of Carboxymethylcellulase by Submerged Fermentation of Moniliophthora perniciosa

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 Moniliophthora perniciosa. 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 was employed using inductor concentration in five levels (3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 g L-1 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-1 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.