ISOLATION, SCREENING AND PRODUCTION OF LIPASE FROM BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Abstract

The production of commercial enzymes, including lipase from bacteria has always been the industrial choice due to its economic and commercial feasibility. In this study, bacterial isolates from diesel and wastewater polluted soil were screened for lipase production on solid agar. Morphological and biochemical characteristics of the best isolate were investigated. The effect of carbon sources including monosaccharide (glucose, and galactose), disaccharide (maltose, lactose, and sucrose), polysaccharide (starch), alcohol sugar (mannitol) and nitrogen sources were investigated. A total of 14 bacteria were isolated. Lipase activity ranged from 1.5f - 5.0; 2.5g - 6.0a and 3.5g - 9.5a at 24, 48 and 72 hrs respectively. Isolate PMD1 identified as Bacillus subtilis gave the best lipase activity in all the incubation periods. There was significant difference (p≥0.005) in the presence of different carbon and nitrogen sources employed for lipase production. Lipase production ranged from 31.09h - 88.65a (U/mL) and 42.11g - 86.35a (U/mL) for carbon and nitrogen sources respectively. Glucose (88.65a U/mL) and peptone (86.35a U/mL) supported the highest lipase production. The study has shown that Bacillus subtilis isolated from diesel polluted soil is a potential lipase producer and can be harness for industrial production.