Raw sugarcane bagasse as carbon source for xylanase production by Paenibacillus species: a potential degrader of agricultural wastes

Abstract

Paenibacillus species isolated from a variety ofnatural sources have shown to be important glycoside hydrolasesproducers. These enzymes play a key role in bio-refiningapplications, as they are central biocatalysts for the processingof different types of polymers from vegetal biomass. Xylanaseproduction by three native isolates belonging to the genusPaenibacillus was approached by utilizing mineral-based mediumand agricultural by-products as a convenient source toproduce biocatalysts suitable for their degradation. While varietiesof alkali pretreated sugarcane bagasse were useful substratesfor the strains from Paenibacillus genus evaluated, rawsugarcane bagasse was the most effective substrate forendoxylanase production by Paenibacillus sp. AR247. Thisstrain was then selected to further improvement of its enzymeproduction by means of a two-step statistical approach. It wasdetermined that the carbon source, provided as an inexpensiveagro-waste, as well as phosphate and magnesium were theculture media components that most influenced the enzymeproduction, which was improved three times compared to thescreening results.