SCREENING, PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATIONOFLIPASEFROM Trichoderma reesei

Abstract

Lipases (triacylglycerol acyl hydrolases, E.C. 3.1.1.3), are a family of enzymes that catalyzetheconversion of triacylglycerol to glycerol and fatty acids. They are ubiquitous and are producedby a variety of plants, animals, and microbes. Lipase plays an important role as commercial biocatalysts. In this study, fungal isolates from domestic wastewater polluted soil were screenedon solid agar for lipase production. The best isolate was identified using morphological andbiochemical characterizations. Effects of physico-chemical parameters such as carbonandnitrogen sources, temperature, and pH on lipase production were investigated. Atotal of 12fungal strains were isolated and screened for lipase production. Isolate APD1 producedthehighest lipase activity and was identified as Trichoderma reesei. Carbon sources, nitrogensources, incubation temperature and initial pH had significant effects (p<0.05) onlipaseproduction. Glucose (75.95 a U/mL), peptone (76.16 a U/mL), 30 oC (59.41 a U/mL) andpH6.0(70.64 a U/mL) supported the optimum lipase production by the selected isolate. Trichodermareesei APD1 isolated from wastewater polluted soil sample was a good lipase producer whichcan be harnessed for industrial production.