초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>Aims</B></P><P>To obtain new cellulases and xylanases from thermophilic fungi; evaluate their potential for sugarcane bagasse saccharification.</P><P><B>Methods and Results</B></P><P>Thirty‐two heat‐tolerant fungi were isolated from the environment, identified (morphological/molecular tools) and the production of the enzymes was evaluated by solid state fermentation using lignocellulosic materials as substrates. <I>Myceliophthora thermophila </I>JCP 1‐4 was the best producer of endoglucanase (357·51？U？g<SUP>−1</SUP>), <I>β</I>‐glucosidase (45·42？U？g<SUP>−1</SUP>), xylanase (931·11？U？g<SUP>−1</SUP>) and avicelase (3·58？U？g<SUP>−1</SUP>). These enzymes were most active at 55–70°C and stable at 30–60°C. Using crude enzymatic extract from <I>M.？thermophila </I>JCP 1‐4 to saccharify sugarcane bagasse pretreated with microwaves and glycerol, glucose and xylose yields obtained were 15·6 and 35·13% (2·2 and 1·95？g l<SUP>−1</SUP>), respectively.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>All isolated fungi have potential to produce the enzymes; <I>M.？thermophila </I>JCP 1‐4 enzymatic extract have potential to be better explored in saccharification experiments. Pretreatment improved enzymatic saccharification, as sugar yields were much higher than those obtained from <I>in natura</I> bagasse.</P><P><B>Significance and Impact of the Study</B></P><P><I>Myceliophthora thermophila </I>JCP 1‐4 produces avicelase (not commonly found among fungi; important to hydrolyse crystalline cellulose) and a β‐glucosidase resistant to glucose inhibition, interesting characteristics for saccharification experiments.</P>