Production of bacterial lipases by submerged fermentation

RODRIGUEZ, EMILIO; BAIGORI, MARIO DOMINGO; PERA, LICIA MARÍA; CASTRO, GUILLERMO RAÚL

Tafí del Valle, Tucumán, Argentina

Jornada; XXIII Annual Scientific Meeting; 2007

Tucumán Biology Society

Introduction: Lipases (EC 3.1.1.3) constitute the most important group of biocatalysts for biotechnological applications such as the synthesis of biopolymers and biodiesel, the production of enantiopure pharmaceuticals, agrochemical, and flavour compounds, etc. Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of different fermentor configurations on bacterial lipase production. Materials and methods: Bacillus sp E12 was used throughout this work. The fermentation medium comprised (in g/l): peptone 10 and yeast extract 5. Fermentors showing different height to diameter ratio (A: h/d= 1.7, B: h/d=1.0 and C: h/d=0.4) were used. Lipase activity was determined spectrophotometrically at 405 nm with p-nitrophenyl palmitate as substrate. Results and conclusions: Fermentor configuration significantly influences the lipase production. The highest specific activity (31.6 U/mg) was obtained with fermentor configuration A. This work was supported by grants PIP 6203 and PICTO 761.