Bioprospecting Filamentous Fungi from Araucaria Moist Forests and the Pampa Biome: High Amylase Production with a Potential Industrial Application

Abstract

Background and Research Aims: Microorganisms, especially fungi, are used in the production of enzymes which are applied in industries to decrease the costs of production as well as to increase the speed and quality of final products. Amylases are among the most studied and widely used enzymes in industrial processes involving the textile industries, production of paper, detergent, glucose/fructose syrups, and ethanol. According to these characteristics, this work aimed to collect, isolate and perform the screening of filamentous fungi from Brazilian Araucaria moist forests and the Pampa biome. Methodology: Different samples were collected from different environmental areas formed by the Araucaria moist forests and the Pampa biome, which are the characteristic vegetation comprising the south region of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Fungi were isolated by the plating method and separated by observing changes in morphology. Then screening was performed in Khanna liquid medium which was filtrated to extract the extracellular enzymes and determine amylase activity by DNS (3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid). Results: Sixteen morphologically different filamentous fungi were isolated from this collection, which proves the high variability of fungi species that have the Araucaria moist forests and the Pampa biome as their habitat. Three of the isolated fungi (10C, 18A, and 18L) were selected as good amylase producers with great potential for future biotechnological applications. Conclusion: According to the data obtained in this work, fungi 10C, 18A, and 18L have promising biotechnological potential, since these microorganisms have a high enzyme production in stationary conditions after 5 days of growth. This is a fundamental characteristic of amylase technologies. Also, it is extremely necessary that a change of mind occurs and people become aware of these unique environments in the world, so that, they can be preserved and the species found there can be seen as important mechanisms of industrial and technological innovation.