Fungi in the pressmud composting: diversity, genomics and biotechnological potential

Abstract

The search for renewable alternatives for the use of fossil fuels led to a growing interesting in bioethanol production from agroindustrial residues, specially the sugarcane bagasse. Representing 30% of sugar cane dry weight, the bagasse requires pre-treatment with enzymes that allows subsequent saccharification of the lignocellulosic biomass. In this context, the utilization of enzymes that presents thermotolerance is necessary to improve the process yield. The aim of the present study is to assess the thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi dynamic in a filter cake composting system. It will be evaluated the diversity of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi isolated from different composting process phases using culture dependent and independent (pyrosequencing) methods. The isolated fungi will be selected according to enzymes production useful to saccharification of lignocellulosic material (xylanase, cellulase, pectinase). In addition, to understand which enzymes are found in the different phases of the composting process, the activity of the enzymes will be measured in situ and correlated with fungus producers. With an ecologic and applied focus this proposal will bring advance in the study of themophilic fungi and its enzymes in the process of hemicellulose and cellulose hydrolysis.