Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Renewable Product Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #324921
Research Project: New Biobased Products and Improved Biochemical Processes for the Biorefining Industry

Location: Renewable Product Technology Research

Title: Phylogenetic classification of Aureobasidium pullulans strains for production of feruloyl esterase

Author
item Rich, Joseph
item MANITCHOTPISIT, PENNAPA - Illinois State University
item Peterson, Stephen
item Liu, Siqing
item Leathers, Timothy
item Anderson, Amber

Submitted to: Biotechnology Letters
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/28/2016
Publication Date: 2/13/2016
Citation: Rich, J.O., Manitchotpisit, P., Peterson, S.W., Liu, S., Leathers, T.D., Anderson, A.M. 2016. Phylogenetic classification of Aureobasidium pullulans strains for production of feruloyl esterase. Biotechnology Letters. 38(5):863-870.

Interpretive Summary: In this research we genetically classified microbial strains and tested their production of an enzyme involved in biomass degradation. Novel versions of this enzyme are needed for expanded industrial applications. Certain genetic groups of organisms were identified as superior sources of this enzyme. This information will facilitate future research to develop new uses for these enzymes.

Technical Abstract: The objective was to phylogenetically classify diverse strains of A. pullulans and determine their production of feruloyl esterase. Seventeen strains from the A. pullulans literature were phylogenetically classified. Phenotypic traits of color variation and endo-ß-1,4-xylanase overproduction were associated with phylogenetic clade 10 and particularly clade 8. Literature strains used for pullulan production all belonged to clade 7. These strains and 36 previously classified strains were tested for feruloyl esterase production, which was found to be associated with phylogenetic clades 4, 11, and particularly clade 8. Clade 8 strains NRRL 58552 and NRRL 62041 produced the highest levels of feruloyl esterase among strains tested. Production of both xylanase and feruloyl esterase are associated with A. pullulans strains in phylogenetic clade 8, which is thus a promising source of enzymes with potential biotechnological applications.