Abstract

Tannase (tannin acyl hydrolse, E.C.3.1.1.20) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ester and depside bonds of hydrolysable tannins. Among the filamentous fungi the genus Penicillium is recognized as the second best producer of tannase. This enzyme presents applications in several industrial segments, such as in the production of judges and teas. The industrial production of tannase can be performed through solid state fermentation (SSF) by the use of tannin rich fruit residues, in order to minimize production costs. In the present study 31 species of Penicillium isolated from Caatinga and Atlantic Forest were tested quantitatively for the production of tannase. The species were kept in the Collection of Cultures Micoteca - URM (WDCM604) under mineral oil. The enzyme production was carried out under SSF using “cajá” (Spondias lutea L.) and Manga (Mangifera indica L.) residues that are rich in tannins. Mango residue proved to be the best inducer of the production of tannase by Penicillium species, most of which presented high tannase activity, ranging from 14.48 to 89.48 U mL^-1. The three best producers were Penicillium rolfssi URM6216 with 89.49 U mL^-1, Penicillium janthinellum URM5993 with 85.93 U mL^-1 and Penicillium glabrum URM6092 with 59.26 U mL^-1. Therefore, P. rolfssi URM6216 is being indicated for optimization of tannase production by SSF, using mango residue as a substrate. This is the first study on the potential of hog-plum (cajá) and mango wastes as substrates for tannase production by filamentous fungi.

Key words: Penicillium rolfssi URM6216, tannin acyl hydrolase, waste, mango, cajá.