Trichoderma harzianum Produces a New Thermally Stable Acid Phosphatase, with Potential for Biotechnological Application

Abstract

Acid phosphatases (ACPases) are produced by a variety of fungi and have gained attention due their biotechnological potential in industrial, diagnosis and bioremediation processes. These enzymes play a specific role in scavenging, mobilization and acquisition of phosphate, enhancing soil fertility and plant growth. In this study, a new ACPase from Trichoderma harzianum, named ACPase II, was purified and characterized as a glycoprotein belonging to the acid phosphatase family. ACPase II presents an optimum pH and temperature of 3.8 and 65°C, respectively, and is stable at 55°C for 120 min, retaining 60% of its activity. The enzyme did not require metal divalent ions, but was inhibited by inorganic phosphate and tungstate. Affinity for several phosphate substrates was observed, including phytate, which is the major component of phosphorus in plant foods. The inhibition of ACPase II by tungstate and phosphate at different pH values is consistent with the inability of the substrate to occupy its active site due to electrostatic contacts that promote conformational changes, as indicated by fluorescence spectroscopy. A higher affinity for tungstate rather than phosphate at pH 4.0was observed, in accordance with its highest inhibitory effect. Results indicate considerable biotechnological potential of the ACPase II in soil environments.

Phosphorus-solubilizing Trichoderma spp. from Amazon soils improve soybean plant growth

“…One of the mechanisms of action of Trichoderma for nutrient supplementation of plants is via the production of phosphatase enzymes. Some authors have already described the activity of this fungus in terms of its production of these enzymes 47,48,52,65 . The activity of phosphatases is reported mainly at sites where there is an absence of inorganic phosphorus 52 .…”

Microbial taxa and functional genes shift in degraded soil with bacterial wilt

“…can produce antibiotics, trigger systemic resistance, improve plant nutrient uptake, parasitize other pathogenic fungi and compete with deleterious microorganisms in soil20. For example, T. harzianum produces phosphatase to scavenge, mobilize and acquisite phosphate for enhancing soil fertility and promoting plant growth21. Aspergillus persii is reported with a strong antibacterial activity to several plant pathogens such as Xanthomonas arboricola 22.…”

Acid Phosphatase Immobilization and Production Study by Trichoderma spp. in Soybean Molasses

“…Souza et al 3 described acid phosphatase production by T. harzianum strains in culture media supplemented with 15 g L −1 of glucose, without the addition of inorganic phosphate and pH adjusted to 4.0. They obtained the maximum acid phosphatase activity of 14.3 U mg −1 in 48 h of the process.…”

“…There are several phosphate‐solubilizing microorganisms and enzyme producers with wide applicability. The Trichoderma genus fungi, which are saprophytic, can colonize root and leaf regions, promoting beneficial biochemical changes 3. The species Trichoderma harzianum is a potent fertilizing agent due to its ability to induce absorption and provide soluble phosphate in the soil 4.…”