A novel thermostable lipase from a thermophilic Bacillus sp.: characterization and esterification studies

An extracellular, thermostable, alkaline lipase was partially purified from a thermophilic Bacillus strain J 33. It was optimally active at pH 8.0 at 60°C, retaining 50% activity at 70°C for 30 min. It had native molecular mass of 45 kDa. The lipase was stable in 90% (v/v) hexane or benzene mixtures in water. It converted 66% oleic acid at 0.25 M with 0.4 M methanol in hexane to methyl oleate at 60°C in 16 h. Activity was stimulated by Mg2 (10 mM) but inhibited by EDTA (10 mM) and PMSF (10 mM). It was stable in Triton X-100, Tween 20 and Tween 80 (0.1% v/v). © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Purification and characterisation of a beta-glucosidase (cellobiase) from a mushroom Termitomyces clypeatus

A beta-glucosidase with cellobiase activity was purified to homogeneity from the culture filtrate of the mushroom Termtomyces clypeatus. The enzyme had optimum activity at pH 5.0 and temperature 65 degrees C and was stable up to 60 degrees C and within pH 2-10. Among the substrates tested, p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and cellobiose were hydrolysed best by the enzyme. Km and Vm values for these substrates were 0.5, 1.25 mM and 95, 91 mumol/min per mg, respectively. The enzyme had low activity towards gentiobiose, salicin and beta-methyl-D-glucoside. Glucose and cellobiose inhibited the beta-D-glucosidase (PNPGase) activity competitively with Ki of 1.7 and 1.9 mM, respectively. Molecular mass of the native enzyme was approximated to be 450 kDa by HPLC, whereas sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated a molecular mass of 110 kDa. The high molecular weight enzyme protein was present both intracellularly and extracellularly from the very early growth phase. The enzyme had a pI of 4.5 and appeared to be a glycoprotein.     

Characterization of a thermostable L-arabinose (D-galactose) isomerase from the hyperthermophilic eubacterium Thermotoga maritima

The araA gene encoding L-arabinose isomerase (AI) from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein containing a C-terminal hexahistidine sequence. This gene encodes a 497-amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 56,658. The recombinant enzyme was purified to homogeneity by heat precipitation followed by Ni(2+) affinity chromatography. The native enzyme was estimated by gel filtration chromatography to be a homotetramer with a molecular mass of 232 kDa. The purified recombinant enzyme had an isoelectric point of 5.7 and exhibited maximal activity at 90 degrees C and pH 7.5 under the assay conditions used. Its apparent K(m) values for L-arabinose and D-galactose were 31 and 60 mM, respectively; the apparent V(max) values (at 90 degrees C) were 41.3 U/mg (L-arabinose) and 8.9 U/mg (D-galactose), and the catalytic efficiencies (k(cat)/K(m)) of the enzyme were 74.8 mM(-1).min(-1) (L-arabinose) and 8.5 mM(-1).min(-1) (D-galactose). Although the T. maritima AI exhibited high levels of amino acid sequence similarity (>70%) to other heat-labile mesophilic AIs, it had greater thermostability and higher catalytic efficiency than its mesophilic counterparts at elevated temperatures. In addition, it was more thermostable in the presence of Mn(2+) and/or Co(2+) than in the absence of these ions. The enzyme carried out the isomerization of D-galactose to D-tagatose with a conversion yield of 56% for 6 h at 80 degrees C.     

Studies on a thermostable alpha-amylase from the thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum

An alpha-amylase produced by Scytalidium thermophilum was purified using DEAE-cellulose and CM-cellulose ion exchange chromatography and Sepharose 6B gel filtration. The purified protein migrated as a single band in 6% PAGE and 7% SDS-PAGE. The estimated molecular mass was 36 kDa (SDS-PAGE) and 49 kDa (Sepharose 6B). Optima of pH and temperature were 6.0 and 60 degrees C, respectively. In the absence of substrate the purified alpha-amylase was stable for 1 h at 50 degrees C and had a half-life of 12 min at 60 degrees C, but was fully stable in the presence of starch. The enzyme was not activated by several metal ions tested, including Ca(2+) (up to 10 mM), but HgCl(2 )and CuCl(2) inhibited its activity. The alpha-amylase produced by S. thermophilum preferentially hydrolyzed starch, and to a lesser extent amylopectin, maltose, amylose and glycogen in that order. The products of starch hydrolysis (up to 6 h of reaction) analyzed by thin layer chromatography, showed oligosaccharides such as maltotrioses, maltotetraoses and maltopentaoses. Maltose and traces of glucose were formed only after 3 h of reaction. These results confirm the character of the enzyme studied to be an alpha-amylase (1,4-alpha-glucan glucanohydrolase).     

Constitutive expression, purification and characterization of a phosphoglucomutase from Fusarium oxysporum

The phosphoglucomutase gene from a wild type Fusarium oxysporum strain (F3), was homologously expressed, under the control of the constitutive promoter of gpdA of Aspergillus nidulans. The transformant produced elevated levels of phosphoglucomutase activity compared to the wild type, a fact that facilitated the subsequent purification procedure. The enzyme (FoPGM) was purified to homogeneity applying three anion exchange and one gel filtration chromatography steps. The native enzyme revealed a monomeric structure with a molecular mass of 60 kDa, while the isoelectric point was 3.5. FoPGM was active in pH ranged from 6.0 to 8.0, with an optimum using 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid buffer at 7.0, while loss of activity was observed when phosphate buffer was used in the above mentioned pH range. The optimal temperature for activity was 45°C but the enzyme became unstable at temperatures above 40°C. FoPGM requires the presence of a divalent cation for its function with maximum activity being obtained with Co(2+). The apparent K(m) for Co(2+) was found to be 10 μM. The enzyme was also active with other divalent metal ions such as Mn(2+), Mg(2+), Ni(2+) and Ca(2+) but to a lesser extent. The following kinetic constants were determined: v(max), 0.74 μmol mg(protein)(-1)min(-1); k(cat), 44.2 min(-1); K(m)(G1P), 0.10mM; K(m)(G1,6 diP), 1.03 μM; k(cat)/K(m)(G1P), 443 mM(-1)min(-1) and k(cat)/K(m)(G1,6 diP), 42,860 mM(-1)min(-1). The enzyme was considered to follow a Ping Pong substituted enzyme or enzyme isomerization mechanism.     

Purification and characterization of a monoacylglycerol lipase from the moderately thermophilic Bacillus sp. H-257

A thermostable monoacylglycerol lipase [MGLP, EC 3.1.1.23] was purified for the first time from a cell-free extract of the moderately thermophilic Bacillus sp. H-257. The enzyme was purified 3,028-fold to homogeneity by chromatography using Octyl-Sepharose CL-4B, Q-Sepharose FF, and Superose 12 columns. The molecular mass of the MGLP was estimated to be 25 kDa by gel filtration and 24 kDa by SDS-PAGE, suggesting a monomeric protein. The isoelectric point was determined to be 4.66 by isoelectric focusing. The MGLP retained its full activity upon incubation at 60 degrees C for 10 min (pH 7. 3), and was stable at pH 7-10. The optimal temperature for activity at pH 7.5 was 75 degrees C, and the maximum activity was observed from pH 6-8. This enzyme hydrolyzes monoacylglycerols, with the highest activity occurring with 1-monolauroylglycerol. Di- and triacylglycerols, on the other hand, are essentially inert as substrates for the enzyme. The K(m) values for the hydrolysis of 1-monolauroylglycerol, 1-monooleoylglycerol, and 2-monooleoylglycerol were determined to be 140, 83 and 59 mM, respectively. The enzyme was not inhibited by cholate, but was slightly inhibited by Triton X-100 and deoxycholate. The amino acid sequence of the N-terminal region of the enzyme (16 residues) was also determined.     

Purification,characterization and thermostability of lipase from a thermophilic Bacillus sp. J33

A thermostable lipase produced by a thermophilic Bacillus sp. J33 was purified to 175-fold with 15.6% recovery by ammonium sulphate and Phenyl Sepharose column chromatography. The enzyme is a monomeric protein having molecular weight of 45 kDa. It hydrolyzes triolein at all positions. The fatty acid specificity of lipase is broad with little preference for C12 and C4. The K_m and V_max for lipase with pNP-laurate as substrate was calculated to be 2.5 mM and 0.4 M min^-1 ml^-1 respectively. The immobilized enzyme was stable for 12 h at 60°C. Polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol (2.5 M), sorbitol (2.5 M) and glycerol (2.5 M) were used as thermostabilizers. Lipase acquired a remarkable stability, since no deactivation occurred at 70°C for 150 min in the presence of additives.     

A new iron oxidase from a moderately thermophilic iron oxidizing bacterium strain TI-1.

Iron oxidase was purified from plasma membranes of a moderately thermophilic iron oxidizing bacterium strain TI-1 in an electrophoretically homogeneous state. Spectrum analyses of purified enzyme showed the existence of cytochrome a, but not cytochrome b and c types. Iron oxidase was composed of five subunits with apparent molecular masses of 46 kDa (alpha), 28 kDa (beta), 24 kDa (gamma), 20 kDa (delta), and 17 kDa (epsilon). As the molecular mass of a native enzyme was estimated to be 263 kDa in the presence of 0.1% n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltopyranoside (DM), a native iron oxidase purified from strain TI-1 seems to be a homodimeric enzyme (alpha beta gamma delta epsilon)(2). Optimum pH and temperature for iron oxidation were pH 3.0 and 45 degrees C, respectively. The K(m) of iron oxidase for Fe(2+) was 1.06 mM and V(max) for O(2) uptake was 13.8 micromol x mg(-1) x min(-1). The activity was strongly inhibited by cyanide and azide. Purified enzyme from strain TI-1 is a new iron oxidase in which electrons of Fe(2+) were transferred to haem a and then to the molecular oxygen.     

Purification and properties of a novel extra-cellular thermotolerant metallolipase of Bacillus coagulans MTCC-6375 isolate

A novel extra-cellular lipase from Bacillus coagulans MTCC-6375 was purified 76.4-fold by DEAE anion exchange and Octyl Sepharose chromatography. The purified enzyme was found to be electrophoretically pure by denaturing gel electrophoresis and possessed a molecular mass of approximately 103 kDa. The lipase was optimally active at 45 degrees C and retained approximately 50% of its original activity after 20 min of incubation at 55 degrees C. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 8.5. Mg2+, Cu2+, Ca2+, Hg2+, Al3+, and Fe3+ at 1mM enhanced hydrolytic activity of the lipase. Interestingly, Hg2+ ions resulted in a maximal increase in lipase activity but Zn2+ and Co2+ ions showed an antagonistic effect on this enzyme. EDTA at 150 mM concentration inhibited the activity of lipase but Hg2+ or Al3+ (10mM) restored most of the activity of EDTA-quenched lipase. Phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF, 15 mM) decreased 98% of original activity of lipase. The lipase was more specific to p-nitrophenyl esters of 8 (pNPC) and 16 (pNPP) carbon chain length esters. The lipase had a Vmax and Km of 0.44 mmol mg(-1)min(-1) and 28 mM for hydrolysis of pNPP, and 0.7 mmol mg(-1)min(-1) and 32 mM for hydrolysis of pNPC, respectively.     

Characterization of a thermostable extracellular beta-galactosidase from a thermophilic fungus Rhizomucor sp

An extracellular beta-galactosidase from a thermophilic fungus Rhizomucor sp. has been purified to homogeneity by successive DEAE cellulose chromatography followed by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300. The native molecular mass of the enzyme is 250,000 and it is composed of two identical subunits with molecular mass of 120,000. It is an acidic protein with a pI of 4.2. Purified beta-galactosidase is a glycoprotein and contains 8% neutral sugar. The optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity are 4.5 and 60 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme is stable at 60 degrees C for 4 h, and has a t(1/2) of 150 min(-1) at 70 degrees C which is one of the highest reported for fungal beta-galactosidases. Substrate specificity studies indicated that the enzyme is specific for beta-linked galactose residues with a preference for p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (pNPG). The Km and Vmax values for the synthetic substrates pNPG and o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (oNPG) were 0.66 mM and 1.32 mM; and 22.4 mmol min(-1) mg(-1) and 4.45 mmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively, while that for the natural substrate, lactose, was 50.0 mM and 12 mmol min(-1) mg(-1). The end product galactose and the substrate analogue isopropyl thiogalactopyranoside (ITPG) inhibited the enzyme with Ki of 2.6 mM and 12.0 mM, respectively. The energy of activation for the enzyme using pNPG and oNPG were 27.04 kCal and 9.04 kCal, respectively. The active site characterization studies using group-specific reagents revealed that a tryptophan and lysine residue play an important role in the catalytic activity of the enzyme.     

Isolation and characterization of a thermophilic lipase from Bacillus thermoleovorans ID-1

A thermophilic microorganism, Bacillus thermoleovorans ID-1, isolated from hot springs in Indonesia, showed extracellular lipase activity and high growth rates on lipid substrates at elevated temperatures. On olive oil (1.5%, w/v) as the sole carbon source, the isolate ID-1 grew very rapidly at 65 degrees C with its specific growth rate (2.50 h(-1)) and its lipase activity reached the maximum value of 520 U l(-1) during the late exponential phase and then decreased. In addition to this, isolate ID-1 could grow on a variety of lipid substrates such as oils (olive oil, soybean oil and mineral oil), triglycerides (triolein, tributyrin) and emulsifiers (Tween 20, 40). The excreted lipase of ID-1 was purified 223-fold to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Sephacel ion-exchange chromatography and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration chromatography. As a result, the relative molecular mass of the lipase was determined to be 34 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The enzyme showed optimal activity at 70-75 degrees C and pH 7.5 and exhibited 50% of its original activity after 1 h incubation at 60 degrees C and 30 min at 70 degrees C and its catalytic function was activated in the presence of Ca(2+) or Zn(2+).     

Purification and characterization of a recombinant β-galactosidase with transgalactosylation activity from Bifidobacterium infantis HL96

A beta-galactosidase isoenzyme, beta-Gall, from Bifidobacterium infantis HL96, was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The molecular mass of the beta-Gall subunit was estimated to be 115 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme appeared to be a tetramer, with a molecular weight of about 470 kDa by native PAGE. The optimum temperature and pH for o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) and lactose were 60 degrees C, pH 7.5, and 50 degrees C, pH 7.5, respectively. The enzyme was stable over a pH range of 5.0-8.5, and remained active for more than 80 min at pH 7.0, 50 degrees C. The enzyme activity was significantly increased by reducing agents. Maximum activity required the presence of both Na+ and K+, at a concentration of 10 mM. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, divalent metal cations, and Cr3+, and to a lesser extent by EDTA and urea. The hydrolytic activity using lactose as a substrate was significantly inhibited by galactose. The Km, and Vmax values for ONPG and lactose were 2.6 mM, 262 U/mg, and 73.8 mM, 1.28 U/mg, respectively. beta-Gall possesses strong transgalactosylation activity. The production rate of galactooligosaccharides from 20% lactose at 30 and 60 degrees C was 120 mg/ml, and this rate increased to 190 mg/ml when 30% lactose was used.     

Purification and characterization of a lysine aminopeptidase from Kluyveromyces marxianus

A lysine aminopeptidase was purified from the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus. This enzyme was purified 100-fold from a soluble extract obtained at 100,000g. The purification procedure consisted in fractionated precipitation with ammonium sulfate and five chromatography steps. The native enzyme had a molecular mass of 46 kDa assessed through gel filtration. This aminopeptidase depicted an optimal pH of 7.0 and was stable at a pH range of 4-8, its optimal temperature was 45 degrees C and the enzyme became unstable at temperatures above 55 degrees C. The isoelectric point of the purified enzyme was 4.4. Michaelis constant and Vmax for L-lysine-p-nitroanilide were 0.33 mM and 2.2 mM min(-1) per milligram of protein, respectively. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by bestatin, o-phenanthroline and, to a lesser extent, by EDTA, suggesting that this enzyme is a metalloprotease. Our results suggest that the lysine aminopeptidase from Kluyveromyces marxianus might be of biotechnological relevance.     

A highly N-glycosylated chitin deacetylase derived from a novel strain of Mortierella sp. DY-52

Chitin deacetylase (CDA), the enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetamido groups of GlcNAc in chitin, was purified from culture filtrate of the fungus Mortierella sp. DY-52 and characterized. The extracellular enzyme is likely to be a highly N-glycosylated protein with a pI of 4.2-4.8. Its apparent molecular weight was determined to be about 52 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and 67 kDa by size-exclusion chromatography. The enzyme had an optimum pH of 6.0 and an optimum temperature of 60 °C. Enzyme activity was slightly inhibited by 1-10 mM Co(2+) and strongly inhibited by 10 mM Cu(2+). It required at least two GlcNAc residues for catalysis. When (GlcNAc)(6) was used as substrate, K(m) and V(max) were determined to be 1.1 mM and 54.6 μmol min(-1) respectively.     

Purification and characterization of a mesophilic lipase from Bacillus subtilis FH5 stable at high temperature and pH

Lipases are a class of enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of long-chain triglycerides. Microbial lipases are currently receiving much attention with the rapid development of enzyme technology. Bacillus subtilis FH5, isolated from tannery wastes, produced a thermostable alkalophilic lipase and was purified to homogeneity as judged by SDS-PAGE. The purification steps included acetone fractionation and sequential column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-75 and adsorption chromatography on Hydroxylapatite. The results of chromatographies showed that two types of lipases were present having molecular weights approximately 62 kDa and 24 kDa, respectively. The purified enzyme was found to be 100% stable at pH 10 and about 80% residual activity was present at 60 degrees C. The enzyme was found to be stable in the presence of Mg2+, Mn2+ and Ca2+ ions. Km value was calculated as 5.05 mM and Vmax as 0.416 micromol/ml/min. Bacillus subtilis FH5 was isolated from tannery waste, therefore, enzyme is environmentally compatible for application in leather degreasing process.     

Purification and characterization of myrosinase from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) roots.

Myrosinase (beta-thioglucoside glucohydrolase; EC 3.2.3.147) from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) roots was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate fractionation, Q-sepharose, and concanavalin A sepharose affinity chromatography. The purified protein migrated as a single band with a mass of about 65 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Using LC-MS/MS, this band was identified as myrosinase. Western blot analysis, using the anti-myrosinase monoclonal antibody 3D7, showed a single band of about 65 kDa for horseradish crude extract and for the purified myrosinase. The native molecular mass of the purified myrosinase was estimated, using gel filtration, to be about 130 kDa. Based on these data, it appeared that myrosinase from horseradish root consists of two subunits of similar molecular mass of about 65 kDa. The enzyme exhibited high activity at broad pH (pH 5.0-8.0) and temperature (37 and 45 degrees C). The purified enzyme remained stable at 4 degrees C for more than 1 year. Using sinigrin as a substrate, the Km and Vmax values for the purified enzyme were estimated to be 0.128 mM and 0.624 micromol min(-1), respectively. The enzyme was strongly activated by 0.5 mM ascorbic acid and was able to breakdown intact glucosinolates in a crude extract of broccoli.     

A novel alkaline protease from wild edible mushroom Termitomyces albuminosus

A protease with a molecular mass of 30 kDa and the N-terminal sequence of GLQTNAPWGLARSS, was isolated from fresh fruiting bodies of the wild edible mushroom Termitomyces albuminosus. The purification protocol included ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Q-Sepharose, SP-Sepharose and FPLC-gel filtration on Superdex 75. The protein was unadsorbed on DEAE-cellulose and Q-Sepharose, but adsorbed on SP-Sepharose. The optimal pH and temperature of the purified enzyme were 10.6 and 60 °C, respectively. The enzyme was stable in the presence of 2 % (v/v) Tween 80 and 4 M urea. More than 80 % of the enzyme activity was retained in 2 % (v/v) Triton X 100, 54 % in 10 mM EDTA and 31 % in 2 % (w/v) SDS. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), but not inhibited by dithiothreitol (DTT), pepstatin or lima bean trypsin inhibitor suggesting that it was a serine protease but not a trypsin-like one. The protease was inhibited by Hg(2+), Cu(2+), and Fe(3+) ions. The K(m) and V(max) values of the purified enzyme for casein were 8.26 mg ? ml(-1) and 0.668 mg ? ml(-1) ? min(-1), respectively.     

Invertase from a strain of Rhodotorula glutinis

An invertase (beta-D-fructofuranoside fructohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.26) from Rhodotorula glutinis was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography. Invertase molecular weight was estimated to be 100 kDa by analytical gel filtration and 47 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Molecular mass determinations indicated that the native enzyme exists as a homodimer. It is a glycoprotein that contains 19% carbohydrate. The enzyme attacks beta-D-fructofuranoside (raffinose, stachyose and sucrose) from the fructose end. It has a K(m) of 0.227 M and a V(max) of 0.096 micromol/min with sucrose as a substrate. Invertase activity is stable between pH 2.6 and 5.5 for 30 min, maximum activity being observed at pH 4.5. The activation energy was 6520 cal/mol. The enzyme is stable between 20 and 60 degrees C. Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) ions stimulated invertase activity 3-fold, while Fe(2+), K(+), Co(2+), Na(+) and Cu(2+) increased activity about 2-fold. The transfructosylation reaction could not be observed. This enzyme is of particular interest since it appears to have a high hydrolytic activity in 1 M sucrose solution. This fact would make the enzymatic hydrolysis process economically efficient for syrup production using by-products with high salt and sugar contents such as sugar cane molasses.     

Aggregation properties of cold-active lipase produced by a psychrotolerant strain of Pseudomonas palleroniana (GBPI_508)

Abstract

The present study aims to exploit microbial potential from colder region to produce lipase enzyme stable at low temperatures. A newly isolated bacterium GBPI_508 from Himalayan environment, was investigated for the production of cold-active lipase emphasizing on its aggregation properties. Plate based assays followed by quantitative production of enzyme was estimated under different culture conditions. Further characterization of partially purified enzyme was done for molecular weight determination and activity and stability under varying conditions of pH, temperature, and in presence of organic solvents, inhibitors, and metal ions. The psychrotolerant bacterium was identified as Pseudomonas palleroniana following 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Maximum lipase production by GBPI_508 was recorded in 7?days at 25?°C utilizing yeast extract as nitrogen source and olive oil as substrate in the lipase production medium. Triton X-100 (1%) in the medium as emulsifier significantly enhanced the lipase production. Lipase produced by bacterium showed aggregation which was confirmed by dynamic light scattering and native PAGE. SDS-PAGE followed by zymogram analysis of partially purified enzyme showed two active bands of ～50?kDa and ～54?kDa. Optimum activity of partially purified enzymatic preparation was recorded at 40?°C while the activity remained nearly consistent from pH 7.0 to 12.0, whereas, maximum stability was recorded at pH values 7.0 and 11.0 at 25?°C. Interestingly, lipase in the partially purified fraction retained 60% enzyme activity at 10?°C. Medium chain pNP ester (C10) was the most preferred substrate for the lipase of GBPI_508. The lipase possessed >50% residual activity when incubated with different organic solvents (25% v/v) except toluene and dichloromethane which inhibited the activity below 50%. Partially purified enzyme was also stable in the presence of metal ions and inhibitors. The study suggests applicability of GBPI_508 lipase in low temperature conditions such as cold-active detergent formulations and cold bioremediation.     

Identification and characterization of a super-stable Cu–Zn SOD from leaves of turmeric (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Curcuma longa</Emphasis> L.)

We report a novel super stable superoxide dismutase (SOD) extracted from the leaves of Curcuma longa L.-a post-harvest waste. The scavenging activity of this SOD remains intact both in crude and purified forms before and after heating at boiling temperatures (80-100 degrees C) up to 20 min, autoclaving (6-20 bars up to 10 min) and microwaving (frequency of 2,450 megahertz (MHz) or million cycles per second for 1-3 min). This SOD has significant shelf life at room temperature (25-35 degrees C) and is stable for at least 18 months at 4 degrees C and with the retained activity of 82% at -10 degrees C and 88% at -20 degrees C without any infection or contamination. The heat stable enzyme is present both in cytoplasm and chloroplasts. The enzyme is also stable under wide range of pH, alcohol and SDS concentrations. The heat stability of this SOD protein is not due to any associated phenolic compound as no phenolic compound was bound to the novel thermo-stable SOD. The activity staining through native PAGE and purification of the enzyme protein have shown that this form of enzyme has a native molecular weight of 30.8 kDa and has two subunits of 15 kDa as shown by SDS PAGE. The characterized novel isoform is a Cu-Zn SOD as is indicated by its sensitivity to both H2O2 and KCN. Indian, US and PCT patents have been filed and products are being developed using this hyperthermophilic enzyme.