Evaluation of radial growth on amaranth forage from filamentous fungi isolated from coffee leaves

Abstract

Amaranth forage can be used to produce molecules with biotechnological application due to its chemical composition. Therefore, the use of this type of wastes can minimize environmental problems. Ability of some filamentous fungi genera to produce lignocellulolytic enzymes for depolymerization of plant biomass is well documented. In this work, a proximate composition of the amaranth forage flour (AFF) prepared with amaranth stems and leaves was determined. AFF was used as a substrate to evaluate the radial growth of fungal strains isolated from coffee leaves. The strains were molecularly characterized. Proximate composition values of AFF were (in %); 10.41, 0.87, 12.46, 7.26, 68.89 and 34.35 of protein, ether extract, ash, moisture, total carbohydrates and crude fiber, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis showed 2 main genera: Aspergillus (oryzae and flavus) and Penicillium. A. oryzae showed the highest radial growth in potato dextrose agar (control) and in AFF agar. The rest of the strains showed the lowest growth in both media. These results suggest that A. oryzae, isolated from coffee leaves, could be useful for the production of lignocellulolytic enzymes and that AFF could be used as a substrate for microbial growth.