Optimization of pH,Temperature and Inoculum Ratio for the Production of β‐D‐Galactosidase by Kluyveromyces marxianus Using a Lactose‐free Medium

The pH, temperature and inoculum ratio for the production of β‐galactosidase by Kluyveromyces marxianus CDB 002 were optimized using sugar‐cane molasses (100 g/l) in a lactose‐free medium. The temperature optimum was evaluated in the range from 28–37 °C. Lactase production was initiated after substrate consumption indicating a reversible enzyme inhibition or catabolic repression. The specific enzyme activity after 45 h was between 456.3 U/g cell mass (37 °C) and 733.3 U/g (34 °C), whereas the highest volumetric activity was obtained at 30 °C: 21.8 U/ml. This is generally consistent with results from other authors that used whey as a carbon source. Ethanol as a by‐product reached its maximum concentration after 10–14 h (31.1–40.5 g/l), but was completely consumed afterwards. A pH of 5.5 without further control gave the best production rate for lactase (484.4 U/l × h). In this process, the pH was stable during cell growth at 5.5 and then went up to pH 7.2 after 45 h. At a fixed pH of 5.5 or 6.5, the production rates achieved 313.3 U/l × h and 233.3 U/ l × h, respectively. These results differed from those of other authors, who suggested a fixed pH at 7.0 using whey as a carbon source. There were no significant differences between inoculum ratios of 1% [v/v] and 10% [v/v] so that 1% is the preferable ratio as it is cheaper. Yeast extract (10 g/l) and peptone (20 g/l) were used as the vitamin and nitrogen source, respectively, for the studies of temperature and pH. These were substituted by corn steep liquor (100 g/l) for inoculum ratio experiments. Production of lactase using sugar cane molasses in a lactose‐free medium gave better enzyme productivity rates than obtained by other authors using whey. The optimum conditions for β‐galactosidase synthesis were a temperature of 30–34 °C and an inoculum ratio of 1% [v/v], an initial pH of 5.5 without any further control or a control of 5.5 during cell growth. Then the pH was raised up to 7.     

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of pectinase enzyme from guava (Psidium guajava) peel: Enzyme recovery,specific activity,temperature, and storage stability

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions on the yield, specific activity, temperature, and storage stability of the pectinase enzyme from guava peel. The ultrasound variables studied were sonication time (10–30 min), ultrasound temperature (30–50°C), pH (2.0–8.0), and solvent-to-sample ratio (2:1 mL/g to 6:1 mL/g). The main goal was to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions to maximize the recovery of pectinase from guava peel with the most desirable enzyme-specific activity and stability. Under the optimum conditions, a high yield (96.2%), good specific activity (18.2 U/mg), temperature stability (88.3%), and storage stability (90.3%) of the extracted enzyme were achieved. The optimal conditions were 20 min sonication time, 40°C temperature, at pH 5.0, using a 4:1 mL/g solvent-to-sample ratio. The study demonstrated that optimization of ultrasound-assisted process conditions for the enzyme extraction could improve the enzymatic characteristics and yield of the enzyme.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ALKALINE CELLULASE PRODUCED BY Bacillus subtilis (AS3)

An extracellular alkaline carboxymethycellulase (CMCase) from Bacillus subtilis was purified by salt precipitation followed by anion-exchange chromatography using DEAE-Sepharose. The cell-free supernatant containing crude enzyme had a CMCase activity of 0.34 U/mg. The purified enzyme gave a specific activity of 3.33 U/mg, with 10-fold purification and an overall activity yield of 5.6%. The purified enzyme displayed a protein band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with an apparent molecular size of 30 kDa, which was also confirmed by zymogram analysis. The enzyme displayed multisubstrate specificity, showing significantly higher activity with lichenan and β-glucan as compared to carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), laminarin, hydroxyethylcellulose, and steam-exploded bagasse, and negligible activity with crystalline substrate such as Avicel and filter paper. It was optimally active at pH 9.2 and temperature 45°C. The enzyme was stable in the pH range 6–10 and retained 70% activity at pH 12. Thermal stability analysis revealed that the enzyme was stable in temperature range of 20°C to 45°C and retained more than 50% activity at 60°C for 30 min. The enzyme had a Km of 0.13 mg/ml and Vmax of 3.38 U/mg using CMC as substrate.     

Pectin lyase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus giganteus</Emphasis>: Comparative study of productivity of submerged fermentation on citrus pectin and orange waste

The aim of this study was to investigate some of the factors affecting pectin lyase (PL) production by an Aspergillus giganteus strain, and to characterize this pectinolytic activity excreted into the medium. The highest activities were obtained with orange waste, citrus pectin and galacturonic acid as carbon sources. The highest activity, using citrus pectin as carbon source, was obtained in 11-day-old standing cultures, but the highest specific activity was obtained in 6.5-day-old shaken cultures, at pH 6.5 and 35°C. Using orange waste as carbon source, the highest activity was observed in 8-day-old standing cultures, at pH 7.0 and 30°C. Optimal assay conditions were pH 8.5–9.0 and 50°C. The PL activity showed thermal stability, with half-lives of 30 and 27 min when incubated at 45 and 50°C, respectively. High stability was observed at room temperature from pH 6.0 to 10.0; more than 85% of enzyme activity was preserved in this pH range. Under optimum conditions, the highest pectin lyase activity in the medium was 470 U/ml, with orange waste as carbon source.     

Effective enhancement of polylactic acid-degrading enzyme production by Amycolatopsis sp. strain SCM_MK2-4 using statistical and one-factor-at-a-time approaches

This study aims to find the optimal medium and conditions for polylactic acid (PLA)-degrading enzyme production by Amycolatopsis sp. SCM_MK2-4. Screening of the most effective components in the enzyme production medium by Plackett–Burman design revealed that the silk cocoon and PLA film were the most significant variables enhancing the PLA-degrading enzyme production. After an response surface methodology, a maximum amount of PLA-degrading enzyme activity at 0.74?U?mL^?1 was predicted and successfully validated at 95% after 0.39% (w/v) silk cocoon and 1.62% (w/v) PLA film were applied to the basal medium. The optimal initial pH value, temperature, and inoculum size were evaluated by a method considering one-factor-at-a-time. The values were recorded at an initial pH in the range of 7.5–9.0, a temperature of 30–32°C, and an inoculum size of 4–10%. The highest activity of approximately 0.95?U?mL^?1 was achieved after 4 days of cultivation using the optimized medium and under optimized conditions in a shake flask. Upscaling to the use of a 3-L stirred tank fermenter was found to be successful with a PLA-degrading activity of 5.53?U?mL^?1; which represents a 51-fold increase in the activity compared with that obtained from the nonoptimized medium and conditions in the shake flask.     

A Thermostable phytase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neosartorya spinosa</Emphasis> BCC 41923 and its expression in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis>

A phytase gene was cloned from Neosartorya spinosa BCC 41923. The gene was 1,455 bp in size, and the mature protein contained a polypeptide of 439 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contains the consensus motif (RHGXRXP) which is conserved among phytases and acid phosphatases. Five possible disulfide bonds and seven potential N-glycosylation sites have been predicted. The gene was expressed in Pichia pastoris KM71 as an extracellular enzyme. The purified enzyme had specific activity of 30.95 U/mg at 37°C and 38.62 U/mg at 42°C. Molecular weight of the deglycosylated recombinant phytase, determined by SDS-PAGE, was approximately 52 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature for activity were pH 5.5 and 50°C. The residual phytase activity remained over 80% of initial activity after the enzyme was stored in pH 3.0 to 7.0 for 1 h, and at 60% of initial activity after heating at 90°C for 20 min. The enzyme exhibited broad substrate specificity, with phytic acid as the most preferred substrate. Its K _m and V _max for sodium phytate were 1.39 mM and 434.78 U/mg, respectively. The enzyme was highly resistant to most metal ions tested, including Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Al³⁺. When incubated with pepsin at a pepsin/phytase ratio of 0.02 (U/U) at 37°C for 2 h, 92% of its initial activity was retained. However, the enzyme was very sensitive to trypsin, as 5% of its initial activity was recovered after treating with trypsin at a trypsin/phytase ratio of 0.01 (U/U).     

Application of protease from Nocardiopsis sp. as a laundry detergent additive

The application of protease as a laundry detergent additive from a newly isolated Nocardiopsis sp., isolated from a soil sample collected in Northeast Brazil is reported. The optimal pH and temperature for protease activity were pH 10.5 and 50 °C, respectively. The enzyme was stable in a long-term incubation, showed 73.5% of initial activity at pH 10.5 and 61.7% at pH 12.0 for 120 min. Approximately 60% of initial activity remained after 120 min at 50 °C or after 30 min at 80 °C. Almost 87% of enzyme activity was retained in the presence of 10% (v/v) of peroxide at 40 °C, after 1 h. The protease also was stable in the presence of oxidants and surfactants such as SDS, saponin, Tween 20 and Tween 80 after 30 min. In the presence of Omo^®, the enzyme retained 64% of its activity at 40 °C for 1 h. An increase in the proteolytic activity (6–17%) was observed with K⁺, Na⁺, and Mg⁺⁺ ions. At pH 8.0, the protease hydrolysed casein maximally (50 U/mg).     

Production of highly active fungal milk-clotting enzyme by solid-state fermentation

Abstract

Cheese production is projected to reach 20 million metric tons by 2020, of which 33% is being produced using calf rennet (EC 3.4.23.4). There is shortage of calf rennet, and use of plant and microbial rennets, hydrolyze milk proteins non-specifically resulting in low curd yields. This study reports fungal enzymes obtained from cost effective medium, with minimal down streaming, whose activity is comparable with calf and Mucor rennet. Of the fifteen fungi that were screened, Mucor thermohyalospora (MTCC 1384) and Rhizopus azygosporus (MTCC 10195) exhibited the highest milk-clotting activity (MCA) of 18,383?±?486?U/ml and 16,373?± 558?U/ml, respectively. Optimization exhibited a 33% increase in enzyme production (30?g wheat bran containing 6% defatted soy meal at 30?°C, pH 7) for M. thermohyalospora. The enzyme was active from pH 5–10 and temperature 45–55?°C. Rhizopus azygosporus exhibited 31% increase in enzyme production (30?g wheat bran containing 4% defatted soy meal at 30?°C, pH 6) and the enzyme was active from pH 6–9 at 50?°C. Curd yields prepared from fungal enzyme extract decreased (5–9%), when compared with calf rennet and Mucor rennet. This study describes the potential of fungal enzymes, hitherto unreported, as a viable alternative to calf rennet     

Chitinase production by a newly isolated thermotolerant Paenibacillus sp. BISR-047

Chitinase is one of the important mycolytic enzymes with industrial significance, and is produced by a number of organisms, including bacteria. In this study, we describe isolation, characterization and media optimization for chitinase production from a newly isolated thermotolerant bacterial strain, BISR-047, isolated from desert soil and later identified as Paenibacillus sp. The production of extracellularly secreted chitinase by this strain was optimized by varying pH, temperature, incubation period, substrate concentrations, carbon and nitrogen source,etc. The maximum chitinase production was achieved at 45 °C with media containing (in g/l) chitin 2.0, yeast extract 1.5, glycerol 1.0, and ammonium sulphate 0.2 % (media pH 7.0). A three-fold increase in the chitinase production (712 IU/ml) was found at the optimized media conditions at 6 days of incubation. The enzyme showed activity at broad pH (3–10) and temperature (35–100 °C) ranges, with optimal activity displayed at pH 5.0 and 55 °C, respectively. The produced enzyme was found to be highly thermostable at higher temperatures, with a half-life of 4 h at 100 °C.     

Characteristic Decrease of Nuclear Protein Kinase Activity in G1-Arrested Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cdc28

An alkalopsychrotrophic strain, Micrococcus sp. 207, inducibly and extracellularly produced amylase and pullulanase. The main hydrolysis product from amylose, with a crude enzyme preparation, was maltotetraose. The optimum temperature for activity of the amylase was 60°C and that for pullulanase 55°C. The activities at 0 to 30°C exhibited similar activation energy values. In an optimized production medium at pH 9.7, the highest yields of these enzymes were obtained after cell growth at 18°C for 4 days. At pH 8.5, the yields of amylase and pullulanase became maximum after 3 days cultivation. With more prolonged cultivation, the yield of amylase but not that of pullulanase activity decreased. These enzymes were not produced at temperatures above 30°C. Sucrose was not effective as an inducer, but it stimulated cell growth and enhanced the enzyme productivities with soluble starch.     

Synthesis of exo-β-glucosaminidase BY FUNGUS <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> sp. IB-37-2

A new strain Penicillium sp. IB-37-2, which actively hydrolyzes chitosan (SD ～80–85%) but possesses low activity against colloidal chitin, was isolated. The fungus was observed to have a high level chitosanase biosynthesis (1.5–3.0 U/mL) during submerged cultivation at 28°C, with a pH of 3.5–7.0 and 220 rpm in nutrient media containing chitosan or chitin from shells of crabs. Purification of the chitosanase enzyme complex from Penicillium sp. IB-37-2 by ultrafiltration and hydrophobic chromatography, followed by denaturing electrophoresis, revealed two predominant proteins with molecular weights of 89 and 41 kDa. The purified enzyme complex demonstrated maximal activity (maximal rate of hydrolysis of dissolved chitosan) and stability at 50–55°C and a pH of 3.5–4.0. The enzyme preparation also hydrolyzed laminarin, β-(1,3)-(1,4)-glycan, and colloidal chitin. Exohydrolysis of chitosan by the preparation isolated from Penicillium sp. IB-37-2 resulted in the formation of single product, D-glucosamine.     

Characterization of an extracellular laccase of Leptosphaerulina chartarum

Laccase-producing fungi were isolated from air, using selective media with a chromogenic substrate to indicate enzyme activity. The best laccase producer strain proved to be a Leptosphaerulina chartarum isolate. Laccase production was investigated in the presence of various inducers in different cultivation conditions. The extracellular laccase was purified for further investigations. SDS-PAGE showed that this laccase is a monomeric protein of 38 kDa molecular weight. The enzyme is active in the pH-range of 3.5–6, with an optimum at pH 3.8. It is active in the 10–60 °C temperature range, with an optimum at 40 °C. After 20 min incubation at temperatures above 70 °C the enzyme lost its activity. Degradation of seven aniline and phenol compounds (2,4-dichlorophenol; 2-methyl-4-chlorophenol; 3-chloroaniline; 4-chloroaniline; 2,6-dimethylaniline; 3,4-dichloroaniline and 3-chloro-4-methylaniline) was investigated, with or without guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol) as mediator molecule. Addition of a mediator to the system significantly increased the degradation levels. These results confirmed that the isolated laccase is able to convert these harmful xenobiotics at in vitro conditions.     

Cost-effective production of cellulose hydrolysing enzymes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> sp. RCK65 under SSF and its evaluation in saccharification of cellulosic substrates

Trichoderma sp. is a potential cellulase producing mesophilic fungi which grow under mild acidic condition. In this study, growth and nutritional conditions were manipulated for the maximum and cost-effective production of cellulase using lab strain Trichoderma sp. RCK65 and checked for its efficiency in hydrolysis of Prosopis juliflora (a woody substrate). Preliminary studies suggested that when 48 h old secondary fungal culture (20 % v/w) was inoculated in wheat bran moistened with mineral salt solution (pH 4.5 and 1:3 solid to moisture ratio), incubated at 30 °C and after 72 h, it produced maximum cellulase (CMCase 145 U/gds, FPase 38 U/gds and β-glucosidase 105 U/gds). However, using statistical approach a S:L ratio (1:1) was surprisingly found to be optimum that improved cellulase that is CMCase activity by 6.21 %, FPase activity by 23.68 % and β-glucosidase activity by 37.28 %. The estimated cost of crude enzyme (Rs. 5.311/1000 FPase units) seems to be economically feasible which may be due to high enzyme titre, less cultivation time and low media cost. Moreover, when the crude enzyme was used to saccharify pretreated Prosopis juliflora (a woody substrate), it resulted up to 83 % (w/w) saccharification.     

A novel thermostable nitrilase superfamily amidase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Geobacillus pallidus</Emphasis> showing acyl transfer activity

An amidase (EC 3.5.1.4) in branch 2 of the nitrilase superfamily, from the thermophilic strain Geobacillus pallidus RAPc8, was produced at high expression levels (20 U/mg) in small-scale fermentations of Escherichia coli. The enzyme was purified to 90% homogeneity with specific activity of 1,800 U/mg in just two steps, namely, heat-treatment and gel permeation chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electron microscopic (EM) analysis of the homogenous enzyme showed the native enzyme to be a homohexamer of 38 kDa subunits. Analysis of the biochemical properties of the amidase showed that the optimal temperature and pH for activity were 50 and 7.0°C, respectively. The amidase exhibited high thermal stability at 50 and 60°C, with half-lives greater than 5 h at both temperatures. At 70 and 80°C, the half-life values were 43 and 10 min, respectively. The amidase catalyzed the hydrolysis of low molecular weight aliphatic amides, with d-selectivity towards lactamide. Inhibition studies showed activation/inhibition data consistent with the presence of a catalytically active thiol group. Acyl transfer reactions were demonstrated with acetamide, propionamide, isobutyramide, and acrylamide as substrates and hydroxylamine as the acyl acceptor; the highest reaction rate being with isobutyramide. Immobilization by entrapment in polyacrylamide gels, covalent binding on Eupergit C beads at 4°C and on Amberlite-XAD57 resulted in low protein binding and low activity, but immobilization on Eupergit C beads at 25°C with cross-linking resulted in high protein binding yield and high immobilized specific activity (80% of non-immobilized activity). Characterization of Eupergit C-immobilized preparations showed that the optimum reaction temperature was unchanged, the pH range was somewhat broadened, and stability was enhanced giving half-lives of 52 min at 70°C and 30 min at 80°C. The amidase has potential for application under high temperature conditions as a biocatalyst for d-selective amide hydrolysis producing enantiomerically pure carboxylic acids and for production of novel amides by acyl transfer.     

Production of a Thermostable Lipase by Humicola lanuginosa Grown on Sorbitol-Corn Steep Liquor Medium

For thermostable lipase production by Humicola lanuginosa No. 3, a simple optimized medium consisting of (%, w/v): sorbitol, 1.0; corn steep liquor, 1.0; NaCl, 0.5; CaCl₂–2H₂0, 0.01; Silicone Km-70 (antifoamer), 0.2; and whale oil or castor oil as a lipase inducer, 0.3, was used. The yield of the lipase was about 80 — 120U/ml after 25 hr aerobic cultivation at 45°C when the pH was maintained at 7 to 8. The acetone powder preparation of the enzyme was most active at pH 7.0 and 45°C. The enzyme retained 100% activity on incubation for 20 hr at 60°C. The enzyme was able to hydrolyze almost all forms of natural fats tested (14 kinds), coconut oil being the most rapidly hydrolyzed.     

Production,purification, characterization and usage of a detergent additive of endoglucanase from isolated halotolerant Amycolatopsis cihanbeyliensis mutated strain Mut43

The Amycolatopsis cihanbeyliensis Mut43, which is obtained by UV radiation, exhibited endoglucanase activity of 5.21?U/mL, which was ～2.3-fold higher than that of the wild strain (2.04?U/mL). The highest enzyme activity was obtained after 3 days of incubation at 32?°C, pH 7.0, 150?rpm, and 6% NaCl in a liquid medium containing 1.5% (w/v) wheat straw (0.25?mm of particle size) and 0.6% (w/v) yeast extract. Enzyme activity was eluted as a single peak (gel filtration chromatography), and Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) analysis of the corresponding peak revealed a molar mass of 30?kDa. Zymogram analysis confirmed the presence of a single active endoglucanase component. The enzyme was purified to ～21-fold, and the mean overall yield was ～6%. The purified endoglucanase was active up to 80?°C and showed a half-life of 214?min at 60?°C in the absence of substrate at pH 8.0. The apparent K_m value for the purified endoglucanase was 0.70?mg/mL, while the V_max value was 6.20 Units/μg. Endoglucanase activity was reduced (25%) by treatment with 30?U of proteinase K/mg. The addition of Mg⁺² and Ca⁺² (5?mM) enhanced endoglucanase activity. Additionally, endoglucanase activity in the presence of 5?mM SDS or organic solvents was 75 and 50% of maximum activity, respectively. The high levels of enzyme production from A. cihanbeyliensis Mut43 achieved under batch conditions, coupled with the temperature stability, activity over a broad pH range, relatively high stability (70–80%) in the presence of industrial laundry detergents and storage half-lives of 45 days at +4?°C and 75 days at ?20?°C signify the suitability of this enzyme for industrial applications as detergent additive.     

Continuous production of fructose-syrups from inulin by immobilized inulinase from recombinantSaccharomyces cerevisiae

Recombinant exoinulinase was partially purified from the culture supernatant ofS. cerevisiae by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation and PEG treatment. The purified inulinase was immobilized onto Amino-cellulofine with glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. Immobilization yield based on the enzyme activity was about 15%. Optimal pH and temperature of immobilized enzyme were found to be 5.0 and 60°C, respectively. The enzyme activity was stably maintained in the pH ranges of 4.5 to 6.0 at 60°C. 100% of enzyme activity was observed even after incubation for 24 hr at 60°C. In the operation of a packed-bed reactor containing 412 U inulinase, dahalia inulin of 7.5%(w/v) concentration was completely hydrolyzed at flow rate of 2.0 mL/min at 60°C, resulting in a volumetric productivity of 693 g-reducing sugars/L/h. Under the reaction conditions of 1.0 mL/min flow rate with 2.5% inulin at 60°C, the reactor was successfully operated over 30 days without loss of inulinase activity.     

Optimization, purification and characterization of novel thermostable, haloalkaline, solvent stable protease from Bacillus halodurans CAS6 using marine shellfish wastes: a potential additive for detergent and antioxidant synthesis

A protease producing marine bacterium, Bacillus halodurans CAS6 isolated from marine sediments, was found to produce higher enzyme by utilizing shrimp shell powder. Optimum culture conditions for protease production were 50 °C, pH 9.0, 30 % NaCl and 1 % shrimp shell powder (SSP) and the protease purified with a specific activity of 509.84 U/mg. The enzyme retained 100 % of its original activity even at 70 °C, pH 10.0 and 30 % NaCl for 1 h. The purified protease exhibited higher stability when treated with ionic, non-ionic (72–94 %) and commercial detergents (76–88 %), and organic solvents (88–126 %). Significant blood stain removal activity was found with the enzyme in washing experiments. The culture supernatant supplemented with 1 % SSP showed 93.67 ± 2.52 % scavenging activity and FT-IR analysis of the reaction mixture confirmed the presence of antioxidants such as cyclohexane and cyclic depsipeptide with aliphatic amino groups. These remarkable qualities found with this enzyme produced by Bacillus halodurans CAS6 could make this as an ideal candidate to develop the industrial process for bioconversion of marine wastes and antioxidant synthesis.     

Hydrolysis of lactose in whey permeate by immobilized β-galactosidase from Penicillium notatum

A new low-cost β-galactosidase (lactase) preparation for whey permeate saccharification was developed and characterized. A biocatalyst with a lactase activity of 10 U/mg, a low transgalactosylase activity and a protein content of 0.22 mg protein/mg was obtained from a fermenter culture of the fungus Penicillium notatum. Factors influencing the enzymatic hydrolysis of lactose, such as reaction time, pH, temperature and enzyme and substrate concentration were standardized to maximize sugar yield from whey permeate. Thus, a 98.1% conversion of 5% lactose in whey permeate to sweet (glucose-galactose) syrup was reached in 48 h using 650 β-galactosidase units/g hydrolyzed substrate. After the immobilization of the acid β-galactosidase from Penicillium notatum on silanized porous glass modified by glutaraldehyde binding, more than 90% of the activity was retained. The marked shifts in the pH value (from 4.0 to 5.0) and optimum temperatures (from 50°C to 60°C) of the solid-phase enzyme were observed and discussed. The immobilized preparation showed high catalytic activity and stability at wider pH and temperature ranges than those of the free enzyme, and under the best operating conditions (lactose, 5%; β-galactosidase, 610–650 U/g lactose; pH 5.0; temperature 55°C), a high efficiency of lactose saccharification (84–88%) in whey permeate was achieved when lactolysis was performed both in a batch process and in a recycling packed-bed bioreactor. It seems that the promising results obtained during the assays performed on a laboratory scale make this immobilizate a new and very viable preparation of β-galactosidase for application in the processing of whey and whey permeates.     

Cloning,Isolation, and Properties of a New Homologous Exoarabinase from the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium canescens</Emphasis> Fungus

A novel exo-arabinase (GH93, exo-ABN) enzyme produced by the ascomycete Penicillium canescens has been studied. Cloning of the abn1 gene coding for exo-ABN into the recipient P. canescens strain RN3-11-7 yielded recombinant producing strains characterized by a high yield of extracellular exo- ABN production (20–30% of the total amount of extracellular protein). Chromatographic purification yielded a homogenous exo-ABN with a molecular weight of 47 kDa, as shown by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme showed high specific activity towards linear arabinan (117 U/mg) and low specific activity towards branched arabinan and arabinoxylan (4–5 U/mg) and para-nitrophenyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside (0.3 U/mg), whereas arabinogalactan and para-nitrophenyl-α-L-arabinopyranoside, the substrates that contained the pyranose form of arabinose, were not hydrolyzed. Arabinohexaose was the major product of linear arabinan hydrolysis. Exo-ABN had a pH optimum at 5.0 and a temperature optimum at 60°C. The enzyme was stable in a broad pH range (4.0–7.0) and upon heating to 50°C during 180 min. Extensive hydrolysis of linear and branched arabinans by exo- and endo-arabinase mixtures, arabinofuranosidase, and arabinofuran-arabinoxylan hydrolase has been performed. The degree of substrate conversion amounted to 67 and 83% of the maximal possible value, respectively.