Alkalophilic cellulases production from Stachybotrys microspora and its potential application in denim biostoning

Abstract

The aged look of denim can be the result of the trap of non-homogenous indigo-dyed cellulose microfibers by the mechanical and  enzyme actions. However, the major problem is the re-deposition of eliminated indigo dye on the denim fabrics during bio-stoning with  acid endoglucanases. This work aims to study the production profile of endoglucanases by Stachybotrys microspora in the presence of  lignocellulosic biomass wastes (sugarcane bagasse and macro-algae) at medium initial pH7. The produced endoglucanases by the  Stachybotrys strain were monitored by enzymatic assay and zymogram analysis. The best carbon source is sugarcane bagasse, with an  optimum production at day 7. More interestingly, the zymogram analysis confirmed that a conditional expression of an alkaline  cellulasewas displayed on the sugarcane bagasse based medium and revealed that sugarcane bagasse and macro-algae of the culture  medium directed a differential induction of alkalophilic and acidic endoglucanases. Comparing the denim bio-stoning, with our crude  enzyme to those with commercial ones showed significantly better results. This research shows that alkalophilic endoglucanases from  Stachybotrys microspora can be considered an efficient additive for denim bio-stoning applications.