Bioprospection of microorganisms from cocoa waste for the production of enzymes and use of biomass: powering the green economy in the energy sector

Abstract

With the growing consumption of cocoa globally, including Brazil, there is a substantial increase in the accumulation of residues from cocoa processing. Agro-industrial waste holds potential as a source of energy, chemicals, and materials, following a biorefinery approach without compromising primary food production. The soil microbiome, coupled with residues abundant in lignocellulosic material, hosts microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. To harness this biomass and advance the green economy within the energy sector, this project initially endeavors to isolate fungi and bacteria associated with the soil microbiome and cocoa industry residues for bioprospecting in producing hydrolases and oxidoreductases by these microorganisms. To achieve this objective, the material will be cultivated in a solid medium specific for fungi or bacteria, followed by isolation and identification of these microorganisms. Subsequently, bioprospecting will mainly focus on producing cellulases, xylanases, and laccases. The subsequent step will involve optimizing the production of these enzymes through fermentation in specific liquid media. Simultaneously, the potential of residual biomass in bioethanol and biobutanol production will be assessed, requiring biomass pre-treatments, hydrolysis, and fermentation. Therefore, chemical (sulfuric acid or soda) and enzymatic (use of laccase) biomass treatments will be examined. In hydrolysis, enzymatic treatment will be considered using commercial cellulase or those obtained from isolated microorganisms (in this case, without total purification). The fermentation step will be carried out in the presence of bacteria of the genus Clostridium. All products resulting from each step will be characterized using physicochemical and morphological techniques. This project will support the development of new bio-inputs fostering the economic and environmental improvement of civil and cultural life in rural ecosystems, focusing on the regions of Bahia and São Paulo. Within the biorefinery context, this model combines biodiversity preservation, competitiveness, and economic development through "green" businesses. (AU)