Selection of esterases and lipases producing microorganisms

COSTAS, LUCIANA; PERA, LICIA MARíA; CASTRO, GUILLERMO RAúL

Tafí del Valle, Tucumán, Argentina

Jornada; XXIII Annual Scientific Meeting; 2007

Tucumán Biology Society

Introduction: Selective conversions of natural or synthetic substrates into useful products using esterases (EC 3.1.1.1) or lipases (EC 3.1.1.3) have been gaining an increasing importance. The enzymatic activity is often characterized by high chemo-, region-, and stereoselectivity, which are very useful for the synthesis of fine chemicals. Objective: The aims of this work were to select esterases and lipases producing microorganisms and to evaluate their enzymatic reactivities toward different substrates. Materials and methods: Isolated microorganisms were grown on LB agar supplemented with both rhodamine B and 2% olive oil. Enzymes production was monitored by irradiation at 350 nm. Enzymatic reactivities toward different substrates were directly evaluated on LB agar colonies by using either á-naphtyl or â-naphtyl derivatives as substrates. Results and conclusions: Nineteen lipolytic strains were selected by using rhodamine-B/olive oil plates. Esterases and lipases with an interesting substrate specificity pattern were found. Enzymatic reactivity toward á-naphtyl derivatives of propionate, caprate, myristate, palmitate, estearate, and â-naphtyl derivatives of acetate and nonanoate were detected. This work was supported by grants PIP 6203 and PICTO 761.