OBTENTION OF CELLULASES IN ECUADOR TO REDUCE ENZYME COSTS IN SUGAR CANE BAGASSE HYDROLYSIS

Abstract

In search of native cellulase-producing microorganisms, collected from lignocellulosic waste in Ecuatorian Andes, Amazon region, and in Antarctica, 17 sporulating strains were found. These strains and the cocktails obtained from them were used in assays to measure glucose concentration produced from carboxymethylcellulose, crystalline cellulose and filter paper units (FPU). The obtained values were that only the cocktail from Bacillus sp. collected at a “panela” artisan factory produced glucose concentrations that might be of interest, after the cellulases degraded all substrates: carboxymethylcellulose, crystalline cellulose and filter paper. The amount of glucose liquor obtained in the best assay was measured in HPLC, producing 3.45 mg/ml of glucose after the action of endo-beta-glucanase and 1.8 mg/ml of glucose in presence of exo-glucanase. The amount of filter paper units produced in vitrowere 0.0073 FPU. However, the study found that, since the Payback Period for the investment was 6 years, it would not be recommendable to invest in a production plant with these cocktails. Due to this, is recommended to continue the research with this strain of Bacillus sp. to improve the dynamic indicators.