The complex structure of the plant cell wall makes it difficult to use the biomass produced by biosynthesis. For this reason, the search for new strains of microorganisms capable of efficiently degrading fiber is a topic of interest. For these reasons, the present study aimed to evaluate both the microbiological and enzymatic characteristics of the fungus Curvularia kusanoi L7strain. For this, its growth in different culture media was evaluated. Wheat straw mineralization was evaluated by gas chromatography assisted by infrared spectroscopy. The production of endo- and exoglucanase, laccase, and peroxidase enzymes in submerged solid fermentation of wheat and sugarcane bagasse were characterized. The strain efficiently mineralized raw wheat straw, showing a significant decrease in signals associated with cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in the infrared spectra. High enzyme productions were achieved in submerged solid fermentation of both substrates, highlighting the high production of endoglucanases in sugarcane bagasse (2.87 IU/mL) and laccases in wheat (1.64 IU/mL). It is concluded that C. kusanoi L7 is an ascomycete with a versatile enzyme production that allows it to exhaustively degrade complex fibers such as raw wheat straw and sugar cane bagasse, making it a microorganism with great potential in the bioconversion of plant biomass.

The valorization of plant biomass is one of the main strategies for sustainable development. However, its use as energy, biofuels, fertilizers, value-added products, or even food is severely affected by the complexity of the plant cell wall. Therefore, the evaluation of fungi with high production of lignocellulolytic enzymes capable of efficiently degrading these substrates constitutes a viable, clean, and eco-friendly solution, allowing, for example, an increase in the digestibility and nutritional quality of alternative animal feed sources. For these reasons, the present study evaluated the ability of the mutant strain Trichodema viride M5-2 to improve the nutritional composition of the forage legumes Lablab purpureus and Mucuna pruriens through solid-state fermentation. Endo- and exoglucanase cellulolytic activity was assessed, as well as the effect of fermentation on the fiber’s physical properties and chemical composition. Molecular changes in the structure of plant fiber were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy. Increased production of the cellulolytic complex of the enzymes endoglucanase (3.29 IU/mL) and exoglucanase (0.64 IU/mL) was achieved in M. pruriens. The chemical composition showed an increase in true protein and a decrease in neutral fiber, hemicellulose, and cellulose, with a consequent improvement in nutritional quality. Fiber degradation was evident in the infrared spectrum with a significant decrease in the signals associated with cellulose and, to a lesser extent, with lignin. It can be concluded that the mutant strain T. viride M5-2 produced chemical, physical, and molecular changes in the fibrous and protein fractions of L. purpureus and M. pruriens through SSF, which improved their nutritional value as an alternative feed for animal nutrition. By promoting the use of this fungus, the nutritional quality of this source is increased through an effective and eco-friendly process, which contributes to mitigating the environmental impact of food production, in accordance with sustainability objectives and the need for more responsible agricultural practices.

The complex structure of the plant cell wall makes it difficult to use the biomass produced by biosynthesis. For this reason, the search for new strains of microorganisms capable of efficiently degrading fiber is a topic of interest. For these reasons, the present study aimed to evaluate both the microbiological and enzymatic characteristics of the fungus Curvularia kusanoi L7strain. For this, its growth in different culture media was evaluated. Wheat straw mineralization was evaluated by gas chromatography assisted by infrared spectroscopy. The production of endo- and exoglucanase, laccase and peroxidase enzymes in submerged solid fermentation of wheat and sugarcane bagasse were characterized. The strain efficiently mineralized raw wheat straw, showing a significant decrease in signals associated with cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in the infrared spectra. High enzyme productions were achieved in submerged solid fermentation of both substrates, highlighting the high production of endoglucanases in sugarcane bagasse (2.87 IU/mL) and laccases in wheat (1.64 IU/mL). It is concluded that C. kusanoi L7 is an ascomycete with a versatile enzyme production that allows it to exhaustively degrade complex fibers such as raw wheat straw and sugar cane bagasse, making it a microorganism with great potential in the bioconversion of plant biomass.

The valorization of plant biomass is one of the main strategies for sustainable development. However, its use as energy, biofuels, fertilizers, value-added products, or even food is severely affected by the complexity of the plant cell wall. Therefore, the evaluation of fungi with high production of lignocellulolytic enzymes capable of efficiently degrading these substrates constitutes a viable, clean, and eco-friendly solution, allowing, for example, an increase in the digestibility and nutritional quality of alternative animal feed sources. For these reasons, the present study evaluated the ability of the mutant strain Trichodema viride M5-2 to improve the nutritional composition of the forage legumes Lablab purpureus and Mucuna pruriens through solid-state fermentation. Endo- and exoglucanase cellulolytic activity was assessed, as well as the effect of fermentation on the fiber's physical properties and chemical composition. Molecular changes in the structure of plant fiber were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy. Increased production of the cellulolytic complex of the enzymes endoglucanase (3.29 IU/ml) and exoglucanase (0.64 IU/ml) was achieved in M. pruriens. The chemical composition showed an increase in true protein and a decrease in Neutral Fiber, Hemicellulose, and Cellulose, with a consequent improvement of nutritional quality. Fiber degradation was evident in the infrared spectrum with a significant decrease in the signals associated with cellulose and, to a lesser extent, with lignin. It can be concluded that the mutant strain T. viride M5-2 produced chemical, physical, and molecular changes in the fibrous and protein fractions of L. purpureus and M. pruriens through SSF, which improved their nutritional value as an alternative feed source for animal nutrition.