Date of Award

8-2026

Degree Type

Report

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biological Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

Erika Espinosa-Ortiz (Committee Chair)

Committee

Erika Espinosa-Ortiz

Committee

Ronald Sims

Committee

David Britt

Abstract

Agricultural waste accumulation presents environmental challenges but also opportunities for biological valorization into value-added products. Fungi are particularly well-suited for this purpose due to their capacity to produce extracellular enzymes involved in the degradation of complex organic substrates. Dryland ecosystems represent a promising source for bioprospecting microbes capable of producing such enzymes. Drylands harbor a high diversity of extremophilic microorganisms that can withstand harsh conditions, extreme heat, UV, and low nutrients using unique adaptations. This suggests that these microbes are resilient and capable of surviving under varying conditions and still produce enzymes for biotransformation. The objective of this study was to isolate fungal strains with the capacity to produce enzymes that can be further used for waste valorization and industrial applications. Compost-amended and unamended plots were sampled from a dryland farm located in Snowville, Utah, to evaluate differences in the microbial communities and enzymatic capabilities in both types of plots, especially the microbes that may have migrated from the compost to the soil. These samples were cultured in selective liquid media. A total of 29 fungal isolates were obtained and preliminarily characterized based on their microscopic morphology, and molecular techniques have been performed to support their taxonomic identification. Differences in microbial communities were observed among fungal strains isolated from the amended and non-amended plot. Isolated fungal strains were qualitatively evaluated for their capacity to produce three enzymes: laccase, lignin peroxidase, and urease. Laccase and lignin peroxidase are associated with applications in bioremediation, delignification, biopolymer degradation, and biofuel production. In contrast, urease plays a crucial role in nitrogen cycling, biomineralization, and the conversion of organic waste into biogas. Isolates displayed varying enzymatic capabilities based on qualitative screening (17% of the fungal isolates produced laccase and lignin peroxidase, while 82% produced urease). Finally, through this study, native fungi from Utah's dryland demonstrated potential to produce enzymes relevant in industry and waste valorization were identified.

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