MAXIMIZING CELLULOSE BREAKDOWN: OPTIMIZATION OF ASPERGILLUS NIDULANS FROM SPONTANEOUS MUTATIONS FOR ENHANCED DEGRADATION EFFICIENCY

Syed Nisar Ahmed*

Cellulose, the predominant polysaccharide in nature, consists of linear chains of glucose units linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. It is widely present in plant biomass and plays a crucial role in the bioconversion processes. Successful degradation of cellulose-rich materials hinges on various factors including the source of cellulose, the efficiency of cellulolytic enzymes, and the optimization of catalytic conditions. Aspergillus nidulans, an industrially important fungus, exhibits significant capability in breaking down plant cell wall polysaccharides. It secretes high levels of β-glucosidase (BGL) and low levels of endoglucanase (EGL). In this study, Aspergillus nidulans was cultivated on 1% cellulose agar plates for 12 consecutive weeks, and the hydrolytic capacity (HC) was assessed weekly. Colonies obtained in the 7th, 9th, and 11th weeks exhibited the highest HC, suggesting spontaneous mutations in Aspergillus nidulans that optimize its cellulose degradation efficiency. Further investigation into the genetic basis of these spontaneous mutations could provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying cellulose degradation optimization in Aspergillus nidulans. Additionally, elucidating the specific changes in enzyme expression or activity resulting from these mutations may contribute to the development of more efficient enzymatic processes for biomass conversion. This study highlights the potential of harnessing natural genetic variation in fungal species for industrial applications in biofuel production and waste management.