Purification and characterization of acid-stable protopectinase produced by Aspergillus awamori in solid-state fermentation

Aspergillus awamori IFO 4033 produced an acid-stable protopectinase in solid-state fermentation using wheat bran as the medium. The enzyme was purified to a homogeneous preparation with anion-exchange, hydrophobic, and size-exclusion chromatography. The enzyme was a monomeric protein of 52 kDa, by SDS-PAGE analysis, with an isoelectric point of pH 3.7. The optimum pH for enzyme activity was 2.0, and it was most active at 50 degrees C (at pH 2.0) and was stable up to 50 degrees C (at pH 2.0). The enzyme showed pectin-releasing activity toward protopectins from various origins, especially on lemon protopectin. An outstanding characteristic of the enzyme was its extreme stability in acidic conditions: the enzyme activity was not lost after incubating at pH 2.0 and 37 degrees C for 24 h.     

Purification and characterization of a thermostable-cellulase free xylanase from Syncephalastrum racemosum Cohn

Syncephalastrum racemosum Cohn. produces an extracellular xylanase that was shown to potentially bleach pulp at pH 10 and 50 degrees C. The enzyme was found to be a dimer with an apparent molecular weight of 29 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. The optimum activity was found at two pH values 8.5 and 10.5; however the activity sharply decreased below pH 6 and above pH 10.5. The enzyme was stable for 72 h at pH 10.5 and at 50 degrees C. Kinetic experiments at 50 degrees C gave V(max) and K(m) of 1,400 U/ml min(-1) mg(-1) protein and 0.05 mg/ml respectively. The enzyme had no apparent requirement for cofactors, and its activity was strongly inhibited by group II b metal ions like Zn2+, Hg2+, etc. Xylan completely protected the enzyme from being inactivated by N-bromosuccinimide.     

Properties of lactate dehydrogenase in a psychrophilic marine bacterium

Lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) from Vibrio marinus MP-1 was purified 15-fold and ammonium activated. The optimum pH for pyruvate reduction was 7.4. Maximum lactate dehydrogenase activity occurred at 10 to 15 degrees C, and none occurred at 40 degrees C. The crude-extract enzyme was stable between 15 and 20 degrees C and lost 50% of its activity after 60 min at 45 degrees C. The partially purified enzyme was stable between 8 and 15 degrees C and lost 50% of its activity after 60 min at 30 degrees C. The thermal stability of lactate dehydrogenase was increased by mercaptoethanol, with 50% remaining activity at 42 degrees C.     

Properties of Lactate Dehydrogenase in a Psychrophilic Marine Bacterium

Lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) from Vibrio marinus MP-1 was purified 15-fold and ammonium activated. The optimum pH for pyruvate reduction was 7.4. Maximum lactate dehydrogenase activity occurred at 10 to 15 degrees C, and none occurred at 40 degrees C. The crude-extract enzyme was stable between 15 and 20 degrees C and lost 50% of its activity after 60 min at 45 degrees C. The partially purified enzyme was stable between 8 and 15 degrees C and lost 50% of its activity after 60 min at 30 degrees C. The thermal stability of lactate dehydrogenase was increased by mercaptoethanol, with 50% remaining activity at 42 degrees C.     

Characterization and evaluation of Aspergillus oryzae lactase coupled to a regenerable support

A derivative of crosslinked Sepharose, p-(N-acetyl-L-tyrosine azo) benzamidoethyl-CL-Sepharose 4B, was synthesized and used for the selective immobilization of thermostable lactase from Aspergillus oryzae.Preparations of soluble and immobilized lactase were evaluated under initial velocity conditions in a batch process. Immobilization had no significant effect on the pH optimum at 50 degrees C or kinetic parameters at pH 4.5 or pH 6.5 and 50 degrees C. At pH 4.5, the soluble enzyme possessed maximum activity at 60 degrees C and the immobilized at 55 degrees C; at pH 6.5 both showed maximum activity at 55 degrees C. The activation energy, entropy, and enthalpy decreased significantly with immobilization at pH 4.5 but not at pH 6.5. When the immobilized enzyme was placed in a packed-bed reactor, the effect of temperature on activity was altered as reflected by a marked decrease in the thermodynamic parameters of activation at both pH levels. Upon immobilization there was also a dramatic increase in the apparent thermal stability of the lactase, and the mean half-life at 50 degrees C was increased from 7.2 to 13 days at pH 4.5 and from 3.8 to 16 days at pH 6.5.     

An extracellular--pepstatin insensitive acid protease produced by Thermoplasma volcanium

In this study, some parameters for the production and caseinolytic activity of an extracellular thermostable acid protease from a thermoacidophilic archaeon Thermoplasma volcanium were determined. The highest level of growth and enzyme production were detected at pH 3.0 over an incubation period of 192 h at 60 degrees C. The pH optimum for the acid protease activity was 3.0 and the enzyme was fairly stable over a broad pH range (pH 3.0-8.0). The temperature for maximum activity of the enzyme was 55 degrees C and activity remained stable between 50 degrees C and 70 degrees C. These features could be of relevance for various biotechnological applications of this enzyme. Serine-(PMSF), cysteine-(DTT), metallo-(EDTA) and aspartate-(pepstatin) protease inhibitors did not inhibit the caseinolytic activity of the enzyme. Therefore, Tp. volcanium acid protease could be a member of the pepstatin-insensitive carboxyl proteinases.     

Purification and characterization of goose type lysozyme from cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) egg white

A novel goose-type lysozyme was purified from egg white of cassowary bird (Casuarius casuarius). The purification step was composed of two fractionation steps: pH treatment steps followed by a cation exchange column chromatography. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 20.8 kDa by SDS-PAGE. This enzyme was composed of 186 amino acid residues and showed similar amino acid composition to reported goose-type lysozymes. The N-terminal amino acid sequencing from transblotted protein found that this protein had no N-terminal. This enzyme showed either lytic or chitinase activities and had some different properties from those reported for goose lysozyme. The optimum pH and temperature on lytic activity of this lysozyme were pH 5 and 30 degrees C at ionic strength of 0.1, respectively. This lysozyme was stable up to 30 degrees C for lytic activity and the activity was completely abolished at 80 degrees C. The chitinase activity against glycol chitin showed dual optimum pH around 4.5 and 11. The optimum temperature for chitinase activity was at 50 degrees C and the enzyme was stable up to 40 degrees C.     

Laundry detergent compatibility of the alkaline protease from Bacillus cereus

The endogenous protease activity in various commercially available laundry detergents of international companies was studied. The maximum protease activity was found at 50 degrees C in pH range 10.5-11.0 in all the tested laundry detergents. The endogenous protease activity in the tested detergents retained up to 70% on incubation at 40 degrees C for 1 h, whereas less than 30% activity was only found on incubation at 50 degrees C for 1 h. The alkaline protease from an alkalophilic strain of Bacillus cereus was studied for its compatibility in commercial detergents. The cell free fermented broth from shake flask culture of the organism showed maximum activity at pH 10.5 and 50 degrees C. The protease from B. cereus showed much higher residual activity (more than 80%) on incubation with laundry detergents at 50 degrees C for 1 h or longer. The protease enzyme from B. cereus was found to be superior over the endogenous proteases present in the tested commercial laundry detergents in comparison to the enzyme stability during the washing at higher temperature, e.g., 40-50 degrees C.     

Thermostable, alkalophilic and cellulase free xylanase production by Thermoactinomyces thalophilus subgroup C

Thermoactinomyces thalophilus produced cellulase free extracellular endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) at 50 degrees C and pH 8.5. Maximum xylanase production was achieved in fermentation medium using birchwood xylan as substrate after 96 h of growth at 50 degrees C. Other agricultural substrates such as wheat bran, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse and cornstover produced less xylanase. The crude enzyme preparation from mutant T. thalophilus P2 grown under optimised fermentation conditions showed no cellulase contamination and maximum xylanase activity of 42 U/ml at 65%deg;C and pH 8.5-9.0. This enzyme with initial xylanase activity of 42 U/ml was found thermostable up to 65 degrees C and retaining 50% of its activity after its incubation for 125 min at 65 degrees C.     

Optimization of extracellular thermotolerant alkaline protease produced by marine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Roseobacter</Emphasis> sp. (MMD040)

Marine endosymbiontic Roseobacter sp. (MMD040), which produced high yields of protease, was isolated from marine sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa, collected from the peninsular coast of India. Maximum production of enzyme was obtained in Luria-Bertani broth. Catabolite repression was observed when the medium was supplemented with readily available carbon sources. The optimum temperature and pH for the enzyme production was 37 degrees C and 7.0, respectively. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity in pH range of 6-9 with an optimum pH of 8.0 and retained nearly 92.5% activity at pH 9.0. The enzyme was stable at 40 degrees C and showed 89% activity at 50 degrees C. Based on the present findings, the enzyme was characterized as thermotolerant alkaline protease, which can be developed for industrial applications.     

Characterization of Extracellular beta-d-Galactosidase from Fusarium moniliforme Grown in Whey

Extracellular lactase (beta-d-galactosidase, EC 3.2.1.23) was prepared as an ethanol precipitate from a culture of Fusarium moniliforme grown on whey. The enzyme functioned optimally at pH 3.8 to 5.0 and at 50 to 60 degrees C on both o-nitrophenyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside (ONPG) and lactose. The activation energy of the enzymic hydrolysis of ONPG and lactose in the range of 20 to 55 degrees C was 8,500 and 7,200 cal (ca. 3.57 x 10 and 3.02 x 10 J)/mol, respectively. The K(m) values were 4.4 and 12.4 mM for ONPG and lactose, respectively. At optimum pH, the enzyme lost half of its activity when it was heated at 50 degrees C for 6 h; at the same pH, the loss was only 5% when the enzyme was heated at 37 degrees C for 6 h. At optimum conditions, 50% of the lactose in whey was hydrolyzed by 10 U of this enzyme in 50 h.     

Optimization of extracellular psychrophilic alkaline lipase produced by marine Pseudomonas sp. (MSI057)

An endosymbiotic Pseudomonas sp. (MSI057), which could produce high yields of lipase, was isolated from marine sponge Dendrilla nigra, collected from the peninsular coast of India. Maximum production of enzyme was obtained in minimal medium supplemented with 1% tributyrin. Catabolite repression was observed when the medium was supplemented with readily available carbon sources. The optimum temperature and pH for the enzyme production was 30 degrees C and 9.0, respectively. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity in pH range of 8-9 with an optimum pH 9.0. The activity of purified enzyme was optimum at 37 degrees C and showed 80% activity at 20 degrees C and the enzyme activity decreased dramatically above 50 degrees C. Based on the present findings, the enzyme was characterized as psychrophilic alkaline lipase, which can be developed for industrial applications.     

Purification and characterization of an endochitinase produced by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

The phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was analyzed for chitinase activity, the best production occurring at the fourth day. A 43 kDa endochitinase with specific activity of 413 U microg(-1) protein was purified corresponding to a 75% yield. The optima of temperature and pH for the enzyme were 50 degrees C and pH 7.0, respectively. The enzyme showed a high stability at 50 degrees C and pH 7.0. Values of pH from 5.0 up to 7.0 gave, at least, 50% of maximum activity, suggesting a biotechnological application. Further studies are in progress to determine the possible use of this endochitinase in biological control.     

枯草芽孢杆菌中性β—甘露聚糖酶的产生及性质

由土壤中分离出一株产中性β甘露聚糖酶的枯草芽孢杆菌（Ｂａｃｉｌｕｓｓｕｂｔｉｌｉｓ）,编号ＢＭ９６０２。该菌在液体培养条件下,产生中性β甘露聚糖酶。多糖能作为碳源,而单糖不能作为碳源;有机氮源优于无机氮源。产酶最适培养基组成：魔芋粉４％,牛肉蛋白胨和酵母膏各１％。产酶最适培养条件：培养基起始ｐＨ８５,３５℃,振荡培养３６ｈ。以槐豆胶为底物,培养滤液中性β甘露聚糖酶活力为９６ＩＵ／ｍＬ。酶在ｐＨ５０～１００和５０℃下稳定;作用最适条件为ｐＨ６０和５０℃;水解魔芋粉和槐豆胶均产生寡聚糖。     

Studies on carboxymethyl cellulase produced by an alkalothermophilic actinomycete

A novel alkalothermophilic actinomycete having optimum growth at pH 9 and 50 degrees C was isolated from self-heating compost from the Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Based on its morphology, susceptibility of spores to heat and novobiocin, guaninecytosine content of chromosomal DNA and cell wall composition, the organism was classified under Thermomonospora. The alkalothermophilic actinomycete produced 23 IU/ml carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase). The CMCase was purified by fractional ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by cellulose affinity chromatography and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration. The CMCase had a molecular weight of 38 KD and pI of 4.1. The enzyme exhibited optimum activity at pH 5 and temperature 50 degrees C. The CMCase showed pH stability in the range 7-10. The enzyme retained 100% activity at 50 degrees C for 72 h and had half-lives of 7 and 3 h at 60 degrees C and 70 degrees C, respectively. The CMCase was stable in the presence of commercial detergents such as Ariel, Henko and Surf Excel, indicating its potential as an additive to laundry detergents.     

Purification and characterization of carboxymethyl cellulase from Bacillus sp. isolated from a paddy field

A microorganism hydrolyzing carboxymethyl cellulose was isolated from a paddy field and identified as Bacillus sp. Production of cellulase by this bacterium was found to be optimal at pH 6.5, 37 degrees C and 150 rpm of shaking. This cellulase was purified to homogeneity by the combination of ammonium sulphate precipitation, DEAE cellulose, and sephadex G-75 gel filtration chromatography. The cellulase was purified up to 14.5 fold and had a specific activity of 246 U/mg protein. The enzyme was a monomeric cellulase with a relative molecular mass of 58 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme exhibited its optimal activity at 50 degrees C and pH 6.0. The enzyme was stable in the pH range of 5.0 to 7.0 and its stability was maintained for 30 min at 50 degrees C and its activity got inhibited by Hg2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Na2+, and Ca2+.     

漆酶在磁性壳聚糖微球上的固定及其酶学性质研究

以磁性壳聚糖微球为载体,戊二醛为交联剂,共价结合制备固定化漆酶。探讨了漆酶固定化的影响因素,并对固定化漆酶的性质进行了研究。确定漆酶固定化适宜条件为：50 mg磁性壳聚糖微球,加入10mL 0.8mg/mL 漆酶磷酸盐缓冲液（0.1mol/L,pH 7.0）,在4℃固定2h。固定化酶最适pH为3.0, 最适温度分别为10℃和55℃,均比游离酶降低5℃。在pH 3.0,温度37℃时,固定化酶对ABTS的表观米氏常数为171.1μmol/L。与游离酶相比,该固定化漆酶热稳定性明显提高,并具有良好的操作和存储稳定性。     

Purification and characterization of a novel mannitol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus intermedius

Mannitol 2-dehydrogenase (MDH) catalyzes the pyridine nucleotide dependent reduction of fructose to mannitol. Lactobacillus intermedius (NRRL B-3693), a heterofermentative lactic acid bacterium (LAB), was found to be an excellent producer of mannitol. The MDH from this bacterium was purified from the cell extract to homogeneity by DEAE Bio-Gel column chromatography, gel filtration on Bio-Gel A-0.5m gel, octyl-Sepharose hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and Bio-Gel Hydroxyapatite HTP column chromatography. The purified enzyme (specific activity, 331 U/mg protein) was a heterotetrameric protein with a native molecular weight (MW) of about 170 000 and subunit MWs of 43 000 and 34 500. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was at pH 4.7. Both subunits had the same N-terminal amino acid sequence. The optimum temperature for the reductive action of the purified MDH was at 35 degrees C with 44% activity at 50 degrees C and only 15% activity at 60 degrees C. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 5.5 with 50% activity at pH 6.5 and only 35% activity at pH 5.0 for reduction of fructose. The optimum pH for the oxidation of mannitol to fructose was 7.0. The purified enzyme was quite stable at pH 4.5-8.0 and temperature up to 35 degrees C. The K(m) and V(max) values of the enzyme for the reduction of fructose to mannitol were 20 mM and 396 micromol/min/mg protein, respectively. It did not have any reductive activity on glucose, xylose, and arabinose. The activity of the enzyme on fructose was 4.27 times greater with NADPH than NADH as cofactor. This is the first highly NADPH-dependent MDH (EC 1.1.1.138) from a LAB. Comparative properties of the enzyme with other microbial MDHs are presented.     

Lignin peroxidase H2 from Phanerochaete chrysosporium: purification, characterization and stability to temperature and pH

The wood-destroying fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium secretes extracellular enzymes known as lignin peroxidases that are involved in the biodegradation of lignin and a number of environmental pollutants. Several lignin peroxidases are produced in liquid cultures of this fungus. However, only lignin peroxidase isozyme H8 has been extensively characterized. In agitated nutrient nitrogen-limited culture, P. chrysosporium produces two lignin peroxidases in about equal proportions. The molecular weights of these two major proteins (H2 and H8) as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 38,500 (H2) and 42,000 (H8). The isoelectric points of these enzymes were 4.3 for H2 and 3.65 for H8. All subsequent experiments in this study were performed with H2 as it contributed the most (42%) to total activity and had the highest specific activity (57.3 U/mg). The Km values of lignin peroxidase H2 for H2O2 and veratryl alcohol were calculated to be 47 microM and 167 microM at pH 3.5, respectively. The pH optima for veratryl alcohol oxidase activity were pH 2.5 at 25 degrees C, pH 3.0 at 35 degrees C, and pH 3.5 at 45 degrees C. In the same manner the temperature optimum shifted from 25 degrees C at pH 2.5 to 45 degrees C at pH 3.5 and approximately 45-60 degrees C at pH 4.5. During storage the resting enzyme was relatively stable for 48 h up to 50 degrees C. Above this temperature the enzyme lost all activity within 6 h at 60 degrees C. At 70 degrees C all activity was lost within 10 min. The resting enzyme retained approximately 80% of its initial activity when stored at 40 degrees C for 21 h at a pH range of 4.0-6.5. Above pH 7.5 and below 4.0, the enzyme lost all activity in less than 5 h. During turnover the enzyme remained active at pH 5.5 for over 2 h whereas the enzyme activity was lost after 45 min at pH 2.5. The oxidation of veratryl alcohol was inhibited by EDTA, azide, cyanide, and by the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, but not by chloride. In the absence of another reducing substrate incubation of lignin peroxidase H2 with excess H2O2 resulted in partial and irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. The spectral characteristics of lignin peroxidase H2 are similar to those of other peroxidases. The suitability of lignin peroxidases for industrial applications is discussed.