RESUMO
This study aimed to select endophytic fungi to produce L-asparaginase and partially optimising the production of the enzyme using cacti as substrate. Seventeen endophytes were assessed for intracellular enzymatic potential in modified Czapek Dox's medium using L-proline as an inducer. The best producer was evaluated for intracellular and extracellular enzymatic activity in modified Czapek Dox's medium using flours of Opuntia ficus-indica and Nopalea cochenillifera as substrate. The biomass and L-asparaginase production profile was analysed and the best conditions for enzyme production were verified using factorial design. Penicillium decaturense URM 7966, Diaporthe ueckerae URM 8321, and Colletotrichum annellatum URM 8538 produced 0.76 U g- 1, 0.87 U g- 1, and 0.74 U g- 1 L-asparaginase, respectively. Diaporthe ueckerae URM 8321 produced only intracellular L-asparaginase, using flours of N. cochenillifera (0.72 U g- 1) and O. ficus-indica (0.90 U g- 1) and the last was selected for the next steps. The ideal time for biomass and L-asparaginase production was 120 h. The best conditions for enzyme production (1.67 U g- 1) were initial pH 4.0, inoculum concentration 1% and cacti flour concentration 0.2%; where was observed an increase of 46.11% in compared to the initial production. Opuntia ficus-indica flour is indicated as an alternative low-cost substrate for the production of L-asparaginase by the endophytic fungus D. ueckerae URM 8321.