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.