Enzimas microbianas: potencial biotecnológico e efeitos modulatórios em ruminantes

Abstract

The objective of this review was to survey the main microbial species producing enzymes involved in the degradation of compounds such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Most of the microorganisms isolated from soil, waste and compost material are capable of producing a broad spectrum of degrading enzymes from the plant cell wall. This enzymatic activity is essential for the fermentation of carbohydrates in the ruminal environment, since ruminants are not able to degrade these polymers, thus establishing a symbiosis relationship between these animals and the autochthonous microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract. However, microbial enzymes have not only been receiving attention in animal nutrition, more and more these have been explored by the industry as biotechnological possibilities, such as the production of ethanol. It is observed a microbial diversity in the rumen, and variations in the production of enzymes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of enzyme modulation in the rumen of production animals, in order to obtain an increase in zootechnical indexes and a higher digestibility of the fiber.