Search

Use of biotechnological potential of native microorganisms as bio-inputs is having a great impact on agricultural systems. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), in addition to their beneficial effect on plant growth and on the availability of soil elements, also have an antagonistic effect against different pathogens. In this study, growth promotion mechanisms with emphasis on the antagonism of PGPR isolated from sugarcane and tomato crops were evaluated. Antagonism against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp lycopersici (Fol) was determined by dual tests, inhibition of germination and production of chitinases and endoglucanases. 52 isolates were evaluated and according to their results in dual tests 10 were selected for further analysis. Isolate GIBI127 showed the best percentage of Inhibition Germination (IG) of Fol (59.29%). Then, a selection index was calculated using results from gi, dual tests and growth promotion mechanisms to select five best isolates. Finally, these bacteria were evaluated for chitinases and endoglucanases production using Miller´s method. As a result, strain GIBI419 (Burkholderia cepacia) showed a higher production of these enzymes. Selected isolates have antagonistic potential along with plant growth promotion characteristics, which can be used for the development of microbial inoculants which allow the establishment of agricultural systems for tomato cultivation that are sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly.

Lignocellulose is the main and most abundant component of biomass. Annually, 200 million tons are generated in the world. Colombia has a high production of lignocellulosic residues that can be used in many industrial processes such as bioethanol production, promoting the bioeconomy. The objective of the present work was to express lignocellulolytic enzymes of eukaryotic origin in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Initially, endoglucanase eukaryotic genes were selected and modified using bioinformatics methods for their production in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and saccharification of pure cellulose substrates. The gene selected for its modification and expression was eglB from the fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Subsequently the enzyme integrity was tested by 3D modeling and molecular docking, as well as the conformation of its active site and its affinity for substrates of interest. Finally, cloning of the modified gene in plasmid pET151 TOPO was made and transformed in the strain E. coli BL21 (DE3) where several lignocellulose degradation tests were carried out using semiquantitative methods for the enzyme activity in carboxymethylcellulose. The presence of the three genes of interest within the plasmid pET151 TOPO and within the transformed cells of E. coli TOP10 and E. coli BL21 (DE3) was verified by colony PCRs performed. The presence of this gen was corroborated by sequencing. Expression of the modified endoglucanase enzyme was achieved in E. coli BL21 (DE3) expression cells, in soluble and functional form, demonstrated by the hydrolysis of the CMC substrate.

The natural biodiversity that is found in tropical areas offers countless biotechnological opportunities; especially if we take in account that many biomolecules from several microorganisms have supported for many years, different industrial applications in areas such as pharmacology, agro-industry, bioprocess, environmental technology, and bioconversion. In order to find new lignocellulolytic enzymes and evaluate bamboo fibers as substrate, Schizophyllum commune a fungus with broad distribution was isolated and grown during 15 days in liquid culture medium containing 1% lignocellulosic fibers from bamboo, banana stem, and sugarcane bagasse. The enzymatic activity of xylanase, mannanase, polygalacturonase, CMCase, FPase, and avicelase were evaluated. Sugarcane bagasse and banana stem showed to induce higher hollocellulase activity when compared with bamboo as the main carbon source. The physical mechanism that the fungus uses to degrade bamboo was observed not only in fibers naturally infected but also in healthy fibers that were treated and untreated with enzyme solution. SEM analysis showed the structural disruption and invasion of the vascular bundles, parenchyma cells, and parenchymatous tissues as a consequence of the presence of this fungus and the catalytic action of its enzymes into the plant tissue.