Biotechnology has been an essential tool in the search for solutions and
in the optimization of bioprocesses associated with issues of human,
plant, animal, energy and also the balance of ecosystems on planet
Earth. The objective of this research was to present an unconventional
substrate (cellulose), in abundance on the planet, to be used as a
substitute source of carbon and energy for biotechnology processes, with
the possibility of increasing industrial production of biomass and
energy. As basis for the research, an extensive literature review and
quantitative and qualitative analyzes were carried out. We chose to
qualify the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for partial cellulose
degradation, through the use of genetic transformation methods to insert
a plasmid carrying the cellobiohydrolase cDNA. It was found that the
recombinant and biologically active cellobiohydrolase protein was
expressed and excreted in haploid and diploid laboratory yeast strains.
The analyzes allowed the visualization of cellulolysis halos around
colonies of recombinant strains grown in solid YPD medium with 1%
microgranular cellulose. The recombinant clones derived from the haploid
lineage yielded in average of 1.70 mg ART/mL, while recombinant clones
derived from the diploid lineage produced in average of 2.05 mg ART/mL.