Diversity of Filamentous Fungi of Area from Brazilian Caatinga and High-Level Tannase Production Using Mango (<i>Mangifera indica</i> L.) and Surinam Cherry (<i>Eugenia uniflora</i> L.) Leaves under SSF

Abstract

Tannase is a biotechnologically important enzyme that can be produced during fungal fermentation of organic matter. The Caatinga is an exclusive Brazilian ecosystem that has been largely unexplored by science, particularly its filamentous fungal diversity. This study evaluated the diversity of filamentous fungi in the Caatinga soils of Pernambuco, Brazil, and their potential for tannase production by solid-state fermentation (SSF) of mango (Mangifera indica L.) and Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) leaves. A total of 4711 isolates were obtained, 2090 during the rainy seasonand 2621 during the dry season. The isolates belonged to 18 genera and 66 species, with Aspergillus and Penicillium having the highest species richness. The dry season had a higher diversity index. Aspergillus was the dominant genus, and A. flavus, A. sclerotiorum, and A. ochraceus the most abundant species. A representative of each species was tested for tannase production using dried mango and Surinam cherry leaves as substrates; the leaves contained 14.28 and 7.0 g/L tannin, respectively. Most fungal species produced tannase, but the highest yields were obtained when mango leaves were used as substrate for Penicillium restrictum (accession URM 6044), Aspergillus flavofurcatus (URM 6142), and A. stromatoides (URM 6609), which produced 104.16, 87.51, and 81.83 U/mL tannase, respectively. These yields exceeded previously published reports. Filamentous fungi from Caatinga soils have great potential for producing tannase by SSF, and low-cost mango leaves make excellent substrate.

Anthropization Effects on the Filamentous Fungal Community of the Brazilian Catimbau National Park

“…This fact was already observed by Cruz et al (2013), who studied the diversity of fungi in the soil of the Parna Catimbau and identified 23 species of Aspergillus and 26 species of Penicillium. Unlike the present study, Cruz et al (2013) evaluated the diversity of filamentous fungi in only one area, analyzing the influence of seasonality on the community.…”

“…This fact was already observed by Cruz et al (2013), who studied the diversity of fungi in the soil of the Parna Catimbau and identified 23 species of Aspergillus and 26 species of Penicillium. Unlike the present study, Cruz et al (2013) evaluated the diversity of filamentous fungi in only one area, analyzing the influence of seasonality on the community. Oliveira et al (2013) carried out studies on the community of filamentous fungi in Catimbau Valley soils and identified 85 species of filamentous fungi, of which 28 belonged to the genus Aspergillus and 18 to the genus Penicillium, in contrast with the results found in the present study, in which Penicillium exhibited more species.…”

“…The dominant species A. flavus, A. niger, A. ochraceus, A. parasiticus, and A. sclerotiorum have been reported as typical of soil and resistant to adverse environmental conditions (Klich, 2002;Cruz et al, 2013). In both communities (preserved area and anthropized area), species classified as constant and common were found, with no rare species.…”

Promising substrates to increase the production of tannase under solid state fermentation (SSF) by Penicillium spp.

“…In a bibliographic survey conducted by Aguilar et al (2007), between the years 1969 to 2007, only five works are cited. A similar survey was conducted Solid state fermentation for the production of enzymes offers advantages over the conventional method of submerged fermentation (Pinto et al, 2005a;Cruz et al, 2013b). The means of production is simple: Agroindustrial by-products can be used, among the most common of which are grape skins, cashew fruit residue, coffee bean residue and bran of wheat, rice and oats, together with tannic acid (Lima et al, 2014).…”

Neotropical seasonally dry forests: response of soil fungal communities to anthropogenic actions

“…Over the last years, Oliveira et al, 46 and Cruz et al, 49 have reported some results that have increased our knowledge about mycological diversity in dry environments. Cruz et al, 49 noticed high abundance of the genus Penicillium and detected great richness values suggesting that a great number of species are adapted to low moisture content.…”