Cellulase Production by Endophytic Strains of Trichoderma reesei from Baccharis

Cellulases are enzymes responsible for the degradation of cellulose, the major compound in plant cells. Cellulose is a polysaccharide composed of several glucose units linked together by chemical bonds. Cellulases, such as endoglucanases, beta-glucosidase and exoglucanases, break the chemi-cal bonds between the glucose units. Fungi, including the endophytic species, can be great cellu-lase producers. This study aimed to evaluate cellulase production by four endophytic strains of Trichoderma reesei in semi-solid media containing sugarcane bagasse, supplemented or not with salts. Two fermentations were carried out for 43 days. Samples were taken every seven days to obtain production peaks. The enzymes were characterized by their optimum pH and temperature of activity and stability upon incubation in the presence of ions, pH and temperature variations. The results showed that the endophytic strains FB1, FB2, FB3 and FB4 of Trichoderma reesei pro-duce cellulases in a sugarcane bagasse medium, supplemented or not with salts, at pH 5.5 an