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[Isolation of a cellulase hyperproducer Trichoderma pseudokoningii mutant]
M Zaldívar1, J Steiner, M Musalem
1Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencas Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago.
Microbiologia (Madrid, Spain)
|February 1, 1987
Summary
Researchers developed a method to enhance cellulase production in Trichoderma pseudokoningii by selecting for mutants resistant to catabolite repression. One mutant, B-1, significantly increased enzyme secretion compared to the wild type.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology
- Enzyme Engineering
- Fungal Genetics
Context:
- Cellulases are crucial enzymes for biomass degradation.
- Catabolite repression significantly limits cellulase synthesis in fungi.
- Developing methods to overcome repression is vital for industrial applications.
Purpose:
- To describe the production of cellulases by Trichoderma pseudokoningii.
- To report a novel plate assay for selecting cellulase-hyperproducing mutants resistant to catabolite repression.
- To characterize a selected mutant (B-1) for enhanced cellulase activity.
Summary:
- A native strain of Trichoderma pseudokoningii was studied for cellulase production.
- A plate assay successfully identified catabolite repression-resistant mutants.
- Mutant B-1 exhibited 3.3-fold higher extracellular protein and 3-fold increased endoglucanase and filter paper activity compared to the wild type, though cellobiase activity was similar. Partial derepression was observed in liquid culture with a repressor.
Impact:
- The developed plate assay provides an effective tool for isolating superior cellulase-producing fungal strains.
- Mutant B-1 demonstrates potential for improved industrial cellulase yields.
- This work contributes to optimizing enzymatic processes in biofuel and bioremediation sectors.