Production of Cellulase and Xylanase Using an Amazon Fungus (Trametes sp.)

In order to use the residue from the beneficiation of Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa HBK) as
substrate in solid-sate fermentation (SSF), in this work, the production of cellulase and xylanase by
the fungus Trametes sp. was investigated, using the residue as a carbon source. Employing a 24-1
fractional experimental design, the influence of substrate moisture, nutrient addition and inoculum
quantity on enzymatic activities was verified. Moisture was detected to be statistically significant for
the production of both enzymes, and increasing the moisture leads to the improvement of cellulase
and xylanase activities. Nitrogen and phosphate were also important for enzymes production by the
Amazon Trametes sp. The use of this Amazon strain to obtain cellulase and xylanase via SSF of
Brazil nut residue appears to be feasible when maintaining substrate moisture at 80%, nitrogen
source at 0.9% and low inoculum concentrations.