Use of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) as substrate for cellulase and xylanase production in solid-state cultivation by Penicillium echinulatum

The high cost of the enzymes used for the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is one of the bottlenecks in the production of second-generation ethanol and the use of local biomass, such elephant grass, can help to reduce this cost. In this investigation elephant grass biomass was evaluated as a carbon and inducer source of production of cellulases and xylanases by the fungus Penicillium echinulatum strain 9A02S1 in solid-state cultivation. The highest filter paper activity (13.26 U.g-1 dry matter) and β-glucosidase activity (138.34 U.g-1 dry matter) were obtained on the fifth day of cultivation, in medium containing biomass pre-treated with sulfuric acid and untreated, respectively. The highest endoglucanase activity was 158.44 U.g-1 dry matter in the presence of elephant grass pre-treated with sulfuric acid. The xylanase activity was highest with medium that was formulated with 75% untreated elephant grass and 25% wheat bran (372.62 U.g-1 dry matter). In conclusion, the results showed that it is possible to obtain large amounts of cellulases and xylanases using a cosmopolitan and very low cost substrate such as elephant grass.