Produção e caracterização de endoglucanase obtido por cultivo em estado sólido de Thermoascus aurantiacus

Abstract

Microbial endoglucanases have wide industrial application, especially in the production of biofuels, textiles, juices, and beverages. The present study evaluated the production and characterization of endoglucanase obtained by solid-state cultivation of the thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus, using agro-industrial residues as substrates.The highest endoglucanase production by T. aurantiacus was achieved after 72 hours of cultivation, reaching approximately 181.40 U·g⁻¹ of dry substrate. The highest enzymatic activity was observed at pH 5.5 and 80 °C. The enzyme remained stable between pH 3.0 and 7.0, retaining more than 95% of its catalytic activity. Regarding thermal stability, more than 90% of the catalytic activity was maintained after 1 hour at 65 °C, and when the temperature was increased to 70 °C, approximately 80% of the initial activity was preserved.The results allow us to conclude that the thermophilic fungus T. aurantiacus produces high concentrations of endoglucanase when cultivated in low-cost media, and the enzyme exhibits high structural stability, supporting the application of this biocatalyst in industrial processes.