Biotransformation of β-ionone by engineered cytochrome P450 BM-3

Wild-type cytochrome P450 monooxygenase from Bacillus megaterium (P450 BM-3) has a low hydroxylation activity for β-ionone (<1 min⁻¹). Substitution of phenylalanine by valine at position 87 led to a more than 100-fold increase in β-ionone hydroxylation activity (115 min⁻¹). Enzyme activity could be further increased by both site-directed and random mutagenesis. The mutant R47L Y51F F87V, designed by site-directed mutagenesis, and the mutant A74E F87V P386S, obtained after two rounds of error-prone polymerase chain reaction, exhibited an increase in activity of up to 300-fold compared to the wild-type enzyme. The triple mutant R47 LY51F F87V exhibited moderate enantioselectivity, forming (R)-4-hydroxy-β-ionone with an optical purity of 39%. All mutants regioselectively converted β-ionone into 4-hydroxy-β-ionone. The regioselectivity is determined amongst others by the absolute configuration of the substrate.     

Conditions for cultivation of the fungus Penicillium melinii UzLM-4 and its biosynthesis of lipases

Cultivation of the fungus Penicillium melinii UzLM-4 on a Raistrick's medium of our own modification made it possible to increase the biosynthesis of lipases three to four times. The following conditions ensured a high rate of synthesis of the extracellular lipase: age of the inoculum, 15 days; concentration of the inoculum, 15 x 10(6) conidia per 100 ml medium; initial pH of the nutrient medium, 8.0; and cultivation in a shaker at 150 rpm (25 degrees C).     

Conditions for Cultivation of the Fungus Penicillium melinii UzLM-4 and Its Biosynthesis of Lipases

Cultivation of the fungus Penicillium melinii UzLM-4 on a Raistrick's medium of our own modification made it possible to increase the biosynthesis of lipases by three to four times. The following conditions ensured a high rate of synthesis of the extracellular lipase: age of the inoculum, 15 days; concentration of the inoculum, 15 × 10⁶ conidia per 100 ml medium; initial pH of the nutrient medium, 8.0; and cultivation in a shaker at 150 rpm and 25°C.