8-31: Production of cellulases by Amazonian soil Trichoderma using glycerol as carbon source

Biodiesel is a promising fuel for diesel engines due to its renewable nature and environmental benefits. Glycerol is a valuable by-product, of transesterification pathway, which is formed during this process. With increased demand and production of biodiesel, significant quantity of glycerol shall be available. There is an urgent need to find alternative application area of glycerol so that viability of biodiesel industry can be sustained. Based on the technology imposed by various biodiesel plants, glycerol wastes may contain numerous kinds of impurities such as methanol, salts, soaps, heavy metals, and residual fatty acids. This fact often renders biodiesel-derived glycerol unprofitable for further purification. Therefore, the utilization of crude glycerol though biotechnological means represents a promising alternative for the effective management of this industrial waste. The present study aimed to demonstrate the potential biotechnological use of crude glycerol to the production of cellulase by fungi of genus Trichoderma. Two strains of Amazonian soil Trichoderma INPA 666 and INPA 1218, previously screened, were utilized. Crude glycerol, as carbon source, was compared with pure glycerol, and microcrystalline cellulose was used as enzyme synthesis inductor. The activities of CMCase and FPase were determined. There was enzyme production in all experiments. The highest yield recorded for FPase (0.17 U.mL-1) occurred in experiments at pure glycerol with the strain 666. The best performance in the production of CMCase (2.36 U.mL-1) was using crude glycerol and the strain 1218.