Lipase Production from Bacillus sp Using Soybean Oil Cake as Substrate

Microbial lipases are holding a prominent position commercially due to their wide scope industrial and biotechnological applications. However, production cost is the major factor that limits their applicability. This indicates the need for low cost production systems. The agro wastes are nutritionally rich and can be used potentially for lipase production. In the present study 29 lipolytic bacterial isolates were obtained from oil contaminated soils of Nanded district of Maharashtra by using tributyrin agar medium. Based on quantitative studies, three isolates L5, L12 and L18 were selected to find their potential to use soybean oil cake as substrate in liquid shake culture medium for lipase production. The isolate L18 was the most active and producer strain on this medium. The isolate was identified by conventional methods as Bacillus sp. Maximum lipase yield was observed after 96 hrs of incubation (51U/mL) at 30°C temperature. The activity of partially purified lipase was studied at different pH and temperature levels. The maximum lipase activity was observed at pH 9.0 and 40°C temperature indicating its highly alkaline and moderately thermostable nature. The study indicated the significance of Bacillus sp in cost effective lipase production using soybean oil cake and may be used potentially for various industrial applications.