Study of Effect of Nutritional Factors for Optimization of Lipase Production by Lipolytic Fungi

Aims: To isolate lipase producing fungi from soil samples and study the effect of nutritional factors on lipase production by the isolated fungi.

Study Design: Lipase producing fungi were isolated from oil contaminated soil samples. Different carbon, nitrogen and lipid sources and their different concentrations were tested for optimum lipase production. T-test and ANOVA were performed to validate the results.

Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, From February to August, 2012.

Methodology: Isolation of lipase producing fungi from oil contaminated soils was done using Saboraud’s agar medium. Identification of isolated fungi was done by Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi. Different sources and concentrations of carbon, nitrogen and lipids (inducers) were tested for optimization of extracellular lipase production. Lipase assay was performed by photometric method. Tukey’s test and one way ANOVA tests were performed to validate the results obtained.

Results: Three fungi isolated in the study were Aspergillus ochraceous, Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium purpurogenum. Culture amendments study indicated that maximum lipase activity for A. ochraceous was reported with 0.5% maltose as carbon source and 0.5% peptone as nitrogen source. For A. fumigatus sucrose at 1.0% was the best carbon source, while soybean meal at 1.5% as nitrogen source reported maximum lipase activity. For P. purpurogenum maximum lipase activity was reported with 1.5% sucrose as carbon source and 1.5% peptone as nitrogen source. Tween 80 at 1.0% was the best inducer for all the three isolates.

Conclusion: Lipase producing fungi were isolated from oil contaminated soils and culture amendments study was done to optimize extracellular lipase production.