Agricultural waste from the tequila industry as substrate for the production of commercially important enzymes.

Autores: 
Carlos Huitron
Rosalba Pérez
A. E. Sánchez
Patricia Lappe
Leticia Rocha Zavaleta
Revista y/o libro: 
Journal of Environmental Biology
Volumen: 
29 (1), 37-41
Año: 
2008
Sinopsis: 
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of Agave tequilana waste as substrate for the production of commercially important enzymes. Two strains of Aspergillus niger (CH-A-2010 and CH-A-2016), isolated from agave fields, were found to grow and propagate in submerged cultures using A. tequilana waste as substrate. Isolates showed simultaneous extracellular inulinase, xylanase, pectinase, and cellulase activities. Aspergillus CH-A-2010 showed the highest production of inulinase activity (1.48 U/ml), whereas Aspergillus CH-A-2016 produced the highest xylanase (1.52 U/ml) and endo-pectinase (2.7 U/ml) activities. In both cases production of enzyme activities was significantly higher on A.tequilana waste than that observed on lemon peel and specific polymeric carbohydrates. Enzymatic hydrolysis of raw A. tequilana stems and leaves, by enzymes secreted by the isolates yielded maximum concentrations of reducing sugars of 28.2 g/l, and 9.9 g/l respectively. In conclusion, Agave tequilana waste can be utilized as substrate for the production of important biotechnological enzymes.