Production of neutral and alkaline extracellular proteases by the thermophilic fungus, Scytalidium thermophilum, grown on microcrystalline cellulose

Extracellular proteases produced by Scytalidium thermophilum, grown on microcrystalline cellulose, were most active at pH 6.5–8 and 37–45 °C when incubated for 60 min. Highest protease activity was at day 3 where endoglucanase activity was low. Protease activity measurements with and without the protease inhibitors, p-chloromercuribenzoate, PMSF, antipain, E-64, EDTA and pepstatin A, suggest production of thiol-containing serine protease and serine proteases. Endoglucanase and Avicel-adsorbable endoglucanase activity in culture medium was not significantly affected by protease inhibitors.     

Optimization of Medium Components for Production of Cellulases by Melanocarpus sp. MTCC 3922 under Solid-state Fermentation

Summary The medium components for the production of extracellular cellulases by Melanocarpus sp. MTCC 3922 were optimized using solid-state fermentation. Melanocarpus sp. cultured in optimized medium containing 1.5% urea, and 0.12% KH₂PO₄ along with a trace element solution and surfactant (Tween 20), produced endoglucanase (142.4 U/g of substrate), Avicel-adsorbable endoglucanase (27.0 U/g of substrate), Avicelase (0.65 U/ g of substrate), FPase (39.9 U/g of substrate) and β-glucosidase (109.0 U/g of substrate) activities. The presence of sulphate ions in traces stimulated endoglucanase yields. The IEF fractionation of the crude proteins from Melanocarpus sp. showed the expression of 3, 1 and 11 isoforms of endoglucanase, β-glucosidase and xylanase, respectively.     

Immobilization of Xylan-Degrading Enzymes from Scytalidium thermophilum on Eudragit L-100

Summary Xylanase from Scytalidium thermophilum was immobilized on Eudragit L-100, a pH sensitive copolymer of methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate. The enzyme was non-covalently immobilized and the system expressed 70% xylanase activity. The immobilized preparation had broader optimum temperature of activity between 55 and 65 °C as compared to 65 °C in case of free enzyme and broader optimum pH between 6.0 and 7.0 as compared to 6.5 in case of free enzyme. Immobilization increased the t_1/2 of enzyme at 60 °C from 15 to 30 min with a stabilization factor of 2. The K_m and V_max values for the immobilized and free xylanase were 0.5% xylan and 0.89 μmol/ml/min and 0.35% xylan and 1.01 μmol/ml/min respectively. An Arrhenius plot showed an increased value of activation energy for immobilized xylanase (227 kcal/mol) as compared to free xylanase (210 kcal/mol) confirming the higher temperature stability of the free enzyme. Enzymatic saccharification of xylan was also improved by xylanase immobilization.     

Isolation of mannan-utilizing bacteria and the culture conditions for mannanase production

A locally isolated strain, Bacillus subtilis NM-39, was selected as an active mannan-utilizing bacterium based on high saccharifying activities on coconut residue and locust bean gum galactomannan. The optimal pH and temperature ranges for activity of the crude enzyme were 5.0 to 6.0 and 50 to 60°C, respectively. The organism gave maximum mannanase activity when grown in liquid mineral salts medium containing 1% (w/v) each of coconut residue and soybean flour, as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, at pH 7.0 and in aerobic growth for 28 h at 37°C. High saccharifying activity on coconut mannan was also observed.The authors are with the Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Manila, Philippines. M. Arai and T. Kawaguchi are also currently with the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, University of Osaka Prefecture, Sakai, Osaka 593, Japan; T. Yoshida is also with the Faculty of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565, Japan.     

响应面分析法优化沙雷氏菌(Serratia sp.) AXJ-M对己烯雌酚的降解

[背景] 环境雌激素已成为目前干扰人类和动物内分泌系统而影响健康和生殖的一类新型环境污染物,利用微生物的降解作用修复被其污染的环境具有重要的现实意义。[目的] 以实验室保藏的一株己烯雌酚（Diethylstilbestrol,DES）降解菌沙雷氏菌（Serratia sp.） AXJ-M为对象,开展其对DES的降解特性及降解条件优化的实验研究。[方法] 利用单因素试验、Plackett-Burman因素筛选、最陡爬坡试验和Box-Behnken设计相结合的方法优化Serratia sp.AXJ-M对DES的降解条件。[结果] （NH₄）₂SO₄、ZnCl₂、胰蛋白胨被分别选做无机氮源、额外金属离子和外加营养物质时,对DES降解有明显的促进作用。利用Plackett-Burman实验确定（NH₄）₂SO₄浓度、DES浓度、pH值为影响菌株AXJ-M降解DES的主要因素。在此基础上,采用最陡爬坡试验和Box-Behnken设计,确定菌株AXJ-M在（NH₄）₂SO₄浓度1.48 g/L、ZnCl₂浓度0.02 g/L、温度30℃、pH 7.19、DES浓度119.5 mg/L、接种量3%（体积分数）下培养7 d,菌株AXJ-M对DES的降解率达到76.89%,较未优化前提高了17.38%。[结论] Serratia sp.AXJ-M具有较高的DES降解能力,该菌可为生物修复受DES或其他人工合成雌激素污染的环境提供优良的微生物资源。     

Optimization of Xylanase Production by Thermomyces Lanuginosus in Tomato Seed Meal Using Response Surface Methodology

Summary A 3² central composite experimental design was performed with the aim of optimizing xylanase production by Thermomyces lanuginosus grown on corn cobs in submerged cultures. Xylanase production was first tested on different nitrogen sources (tomato skin, tomato seed meal, corn steep liquor, meat peptone, bacto-tryptone and yeast extract). Tomato seed meal was the selected substrate to test the effect of two variables on xylanase production (corn cobs and tomato seed meal concentrations). A second-order quadratic model and a response surface method showed that the optimum condition for xylanase production was corn cobs 4.6% (w/v) and tomato seed meal 2.1% (w/v). The optimum conditions found were transferred to 7-l bioreactors, where activities as high as 1630 U/ml were obtained.     

Optimization of cellulase production in batch fermentation byTrichoderma reesei

Maximum cellulase production was sought by comparing the activities of the cellulases produced by differentTrichoderma reesei strains andAspergillus niger. Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30 showed higher cellulase activity than otherTrichoderma reesei strains andAspergillus niger that was isolated from soil. By optimizing the cultivation condition during shake flask culture, higher cellulase production could be achieved. The FP (filter paper) activity of 3.7 U/ml and CMCase (Carboxymethylcellulase) activity of 60 U/ml were obtained from shake flask culture. When it was grown in 2.5L fermentor, where pH and DO levels are controlled, the Enzyme activities were 133.35 U/ml (CMCase) and 11.67 U./ml (FP), respectively. Ammonium sulfate precipitation method was used to recover enzymes from fermentation broth. The dried cellulase powder showed 3074.9 U/g of CMCase activity and 166.7 U/g of FP activity with 83.5% CMCase recovery.     

响应面法优化杀鱼假交替单胞菌2515发酵培养基

杀鱼假交替单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas piscicida)2515是一株具有广谱抗弧菌性能的菌株，为提升菌株2515的培养生物量，通过单因素优化方法，研究碳源、氮源、无机盐等营养成分对菌株2515的发酵产量的影响，确定关键营养因子，利用响应面分析法对影响菌株2515生物量的关键营养因子进行优化。结果显示，菌株2515的最佳发酵培养基配方为麦芽糖2.85 g/L、CaCl₂ 0.65 g/L、MnCl₂ 0.10 g/L、酵母膏3.85 g/L、胰蛋白胨10 g/L、NaCl 10 g/L。优化后的培养基使菌株2515在锥形瓶和发酵罐中发酵的OD₆₀₀值分别为1.416和1.866,生物量分别提高了36.4%和40.4%,其发酵上清液和细胞内容物的抑菌活性分别提高了28.2%和27.2%。表明响应面法优化后的培养基有利于提高菌株2515的发酵生物量及抗菌效果，研究结果为菌株2515的后续开发应用提供了参考。     

Optimization of thermostable lipase production from a thermophilic Geobacillus sp. using Box-Behnken experimental design

Thermostable lipase production by Geobacillus thermoleovorans was optimized in shake-flask cultures using Box-Behnken experimental design. An empirical model was developed through response surface methodology to describe the relationship between tested variables (Tween 80, olive oil, temperature and pH) and enzyme activity. Maximum enzyme activity (495 U l^–1) was attained with Tween 80 at 5 g l^–1; olive oil at 60 g l^–1; 70 °C and pH 9. Experimental verification of the model showed a validation of 95%, which is more than 4-fold increase compared to the basal medium.     

响应面法优化赤红球菌HDRR2Y发酵培养参数

通过响应面法对硝化菌——赤红球菌(Rhodococcus ruber)HDRR2Y的发酵培养参数进行优化,以提高其活菌数。首先通过单因素实验筛选出赤红球菌HDRR2Y的最优碳、氮源,并采用Plackett-Burman实验得到影响活菌数的显著因素,然后进行响应面实验,经最陡爬坡及回归分析得出最佳培养参数,最后以摇瓶实验检验其合理性。结果显示,赤红球菌HDRR2Y的最优碳、氮源分别为乙酸钠和酵母膏+蛋白胨+氯化铵(1:1:1,质量比),显著影响活菌数的因素有碳、氮源及温度,经回归分析得到的最优培养参数为乙酸钠5.48 g/L、酵母膏+蛋白胨+氯化铵4.96 g/L、温度29.24℃、pH 7.0、转速200 r/min、MgSO₄ 0.2 g/L、KH₂PO₄ 0.5 g/L、NaCl 9 g/L、CaCl₂ 0.5 g/L、MnSO₄ 0.025 g/L、FeSO₄ 0.05 g/L、C₅H₉NO₄     

Optimization of culture conditions for the production of rifamycin oxidase by Curvularia lunata

Maximum activity (8.9 IU/ml) of rifamycin oxidase in Curvularia lunata, grown in shake-flask culture at 28°C and pH 6.5, was after 96 h. Nearly all the glucose was used in 72 h. An initial culture pH of 6.5 and 28°C were optimum for the growth and enzyme production. Among various carbon and organic nitrogen sources, carboxymethylcellulose and peptone were the most effective for enzyme yield. The rate of enzyme production was enhanced when yeast extract was also added to the medium. The optimum medium for the production of rifamycin oxidase contained 10 g each of yeast extract, peptone and carboxymethylcellulose/l and 0.04% (NH₄)₂SO₄.The author is with the Biochemical Engineering Research and Process Development Centre, Institute of Microbial Technology, Post Box 1304, Sector 39-A, Chandigarh 160 014, India     

Xylanase production under solid-state fermentation and its characterization by an isolated strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus foetidus</Emphasis> in India

Summary A locally isolated strain of Aspergillus foetidus MTCC 4898 was studied for xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) production using lignocellulosic substrates under solid state fermentation. Corncobs were found as the best substrates for high yield of xylanases with poor cellulase production. The influence of various parameters such as temperature, pH, moistening agents, moisture level, nitrogen sources and pretreatment of substrates were evaluated with respect to xylanase yield, specific activity and cellulase production. Influence of nitrogen sources on protease secretion was also examined. Maximum xylanase production (3065 U/g) was obtained on untreated corncobs moistened with modified Mandels and Strenberg medium, pH 5.0 at 1 5 moisture levels at 30 °C in 4 days of cultivation. Submerged fermentation under the same conditions gave higher yield (3300 U/g) in 5 days of cultivation, but productivity was less. Ammonium sulphate fractionation yielded 3.56-fold purified xylanase with 76% recovery. Optimum pH and temperature for xylanase activity were found to be 5.3 and 50 °C respectively. Kinetic parameters like K_m and V_max were found to be 3.58 mg/ml and 570 μmol/mg/min. Activity of the enzyme was found to be enhanced by cystiene hydrochloride, CoCl₂, xylose and Tween 80, while significantly inhibited by Hg⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺ and glucose. The enzyme was found to be stable at 40 °C. The half life at 50 °C was 57.53 min. However thermostability was enhanced by glycerol, trehalose and Ca⁺⁺. The crude enzyme was stable during lyophilization and could be stored at less than 0 °C.     

Optimization of medium composition and culture conditions for agarase production by Agarivorans albus YKW-34

Effect of medium composition and culture conditions on agarase production by Agarivorans albus YKW-34 was investigated in shake flasks. The most suitable carbon source, nitrogen source, and culture temperature were agar, yeast extract, and 25 °C, respectively, for agarase production by one-factor-at-a-time design. The nutritional components of the medium and culture conditions were analyzed by Plackett–Burman design. Among the nine factors studied, agar, yeast extract, and initial pH had significant effects on agarase production (p < 0.05). The optimum levels of these key variables were further determined using a central composite design. The highest agarase production was obtained in the medium consisting of 0.23% agar and 0.27% yeast extract at initial pH 7.81. The whole optimization strategy enhanced the agarase production from 0.23 U/ml to 0.87 U/ml. The economic medium composition and culture condition as well as the dominant occupation of agarase with high activity in culture fluid enlighten the potential application of A. albus YKW-34 for the production of agarase.     

Comparison between Yeasts from Grape and Agave Musts for Traits of Technological interest

Summary In Mexico there are different alcoholic beverages produced from agave juices from different agave plants, which are cooked, fermented and distilled. For tequila production only Agave tequilana is allowed. In this study we compared yeast strains of different species from different origin (agave and grape juice) for parameters of technological interest, such as SO₂ and copper resistance, ethanol tolerance and enzymatic activities. All agave strains were found to be more resistant to SO₂ and agave non-Saccharomyces yeasts were more tolerant to ethanol, whereas grape strains exhibited positive results for β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase activities. As regards fermentations of Agave tequilana juice with ethanol added at different concentrations, only agave Saccharomyces strains were more tolerant to ethanol than grape strains.     

Optimization of fermentation conditions for the production of ethanol from sago starch using response surface methodology

The quantitative effects of temperature, pH and time of fermentation were investigated on simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of ethanol from sago starch with glucoamylase (AMG) and Zymomonas mobilis ZM4 using a Box–Wilson central composite design protocol. The SSF process was studied using free enzyme and free cells and it was found that with sago starch, maximum ethanol concentration of 70.68 g/l was obtained using a starch concentration of 140 g/l, which represents an ethanol yield of 97.08%. The optimum conditions for the above yield were found to be a temperature of 36.74 °C, pH of 5.02 and time of fermentation of 17 h. Thus by using the central composite design, it is possible to determine the accurate values of the fermentation parameters where maximum production of ethanol occurs.     

Optimization of culture conditions for production of yeast biomass using bamboo wastewater by response surface methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize culture conditions for the growth of Candida utilis with bamboo wastewater. A significant influence of initial pH, fermentation time and yeast extract on biomass of C. utilis was evaluated by Plackett–Burman design (PBD). These factors were further optimized using a central composite design (CCD) and RSM. A combination of initial pH 6.1, fermentation time 69 h and yeast extract 1.17 g/L was optimum for maximum biomass of C. utilis. A 1.7-fold enhancement of biomass of C. utilis was gained after optimization in shake-flask cultivation. The biomass of C. utilis reached 19.17 g/L in 3 L fermentor.     

Investigation of Cr(VI) adsorption onto chemically treated Helianthus annuus: Optimization using Response Surface Methodology

In the present study, chemically treated Helianthus annuus flowers (SHC) were used to optimize the removal efficiency for Cr(VI) by applying Response Surface Methodological approach. The surface structure of SHC was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX). Batch mode experiments were also carried out to assess the adsorption equilibrium in aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity (q_e) was found to be 7.2 mg/g. The effect of three parameters, that is pH of the solution (2.0-7.0), initial concentration (10-70 mg/L) and adsorbent dose (0.05-0.5 g/100 mL) was studied for the removal of Cr(VI) by SHC. Box-Behnken model was used as an experimental design. The optimum pH, adsorbent dose and initial Cr(VI) concentration were found to be 2.0, 5.0 g/L and 40 mg/L, respectively. Under these conditions, removal efficiency of Cr(VI) was found to be 90.8%.     

Cloning, characterization ofPichia etchellsii β-glucosidase II and effect of media composition and feeding strategy on its production in a bioreactor

The cloning and expression of β-glucosidase II, encoded by the geneßglu2, from thermotolerant yeastPichia etchellsii intoEscherichia coli is described. Cloning of the 7.3 kbBamHI/SalI yeast insert containingßglu2 in pUC18, which allowed for reverse orientation of the insert, resulted in better enzyme expression. Transformation of this plasmid intoE. coli JM109 resulted in accumulation of the enzyme in periplasmic space. At 50°C, the highest hydrolytic activity of 1686 IU/g protein was obtained on sophorose. Batch and fed-batch techniques were employed for enzyme production in a 14 L bioreactor. Exponential feeding rates were determined from mass balance equations and these were employed to control specific growth rate and in turn maximize cell growth and enzyme production. Media optimization coupled with this strategy resulted in increased enzyme units of 1.2 kU/L at a stabilized growth rate of 0.14 h^?1. Increased enzyme production in bioreactor was accompanied by formation of inclusion bodies.     

Integrated bioprocess for the production and purification of recombinant proteins by affinity chromatography in Escherichia coli

In order to improve the effectiveness of the production of recombinant proteins in E. coli, integrated fermentation processes were developed. Therefore, expression vectors were constructed containing a strongly expressed gene for a β-glucanase fused with a metal-chelating affinity tag and a leader peptide for directing the fusion protein into the periplasmic space. Its export into the medium was achieved by means of co-expression of a bacteriocin-release protein, the Kil protein from pColE1. Bioreactors were modified so that special devices containing metal chelate pentadentate chelator PDC resins were located within the bioreactor. Using the bioreactor with an internal device the Zn²⁺-PDC had a 4.3-fold higher binding capacity than metal-free PDC (12.3 and 2.6 kU ml⁻¹ PDC, respectively. Using the bioreactor with charged PDC in an external circuit revealed even higher β-glucanase concentration (65.6 kU ml⁻¹), i.e. 1.5-fold compared to the internal adsorbent system. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Optimization of culture conditions for 1,3-propanediol production from crude glycerol by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Klebsiella pneumoniae</Emphasis> using response surface methodology

To produce 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) from crude glycerol, cultivation conditions were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) based on a 2⁵ factorial central composite design (CCD). RSM was adopted to derive a statistical model for the individual and interactive effects of crude glycerol, (NH₄)₂SO₄, pH, cultivation time and temperature on the production of 1,3-PD. Optimal conditions for maximum 1,3-PD production were as follows: crude glycerol, 35 g/L; (NH₄)₂SO₄, 8 g/L; pH, 7.37; cultivation time, 10.8 h; temperature, 36.88°C. Under these optimal conditions, the design expert presented the maximal numerical solution with a predicted 1,3-PD production level of up to 13.74 g/L. The experimental production of 1,3-PD yielded 13.8 g/L, which was in close agreement with the model prediction.