Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XVII
Written by Alexandra GHIORGHITA, Gheorghe CÂMPEANU, Vasilica MANEA, Angela CASARICA, Calina Petruta CORNEA
In reaction to expanding markets and increasing demand for novel biocatalysts, commercial enzyme production has been continuingly growing during the last century. Although some enzymes are extracted from plants and animals, the major source of industrial enzymes consists in microorganisms. Obtainment of a new microbial enzyme begins with a screening of microorganisms for the desired activity, using specific methods of selection. Lipases or glycerol-ester hydrolases are carboxyl-esterases which catalyze hydrolytic cleaving of glycerol esters with fatty acids.Microorganisms are rich sources of lipases, especially yeast strains pertaining to the genus Candida. Yeast strains from the CMII-WFCC232 industrial interest strain collection of the National Institute for Chemical Pharmaceutical Research and Development ICCF Bucharest have been studied regarding their lipase production. Specific screening media have been used in order to stimulate lipolytic activity in the yeast strains. Viability and presence of opaque areas on Petri dishes containing fatty acid esters and lipase inducers as proof of enzyme activity have been determined. The strains which presented lyoplytic activity have later on been cultivated on specific liquid medium and enzymatic activity has been determined.
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lipase
