Optimization of Lipase Production by Bacillus megaterium

Aim: To optimize lipase production by Bacillus megaterium in submerged fermentation.

Study Design: Collection of palm oil press fibres and effluent from different palm oil mills located within Ibadan Municipality. Isolation of Bacillus megaterium by cultivation in medium, submerged fermentation of palm oil press fibres and effluent by B. megaterium to produce lipase. Alteration of the cultural conditions to optimize production.

Place and Duration of Study: All work were done in the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan, from January–December 2014.

Methodology: Palm oil press fibres and effluent were collected from various palm oil mills and were used as the source of isolation of microorganism. The isolated species were identified by studying the morphological, biochemical, characteristics and 16SrNA gene sequencing. The selected species was screened for lipase production.

Results: The results obtained revealed that maximum lipase production was recorded at pH 7.0 with an activity 2.13±0.15 U/ml while the best temperature that supported the optimum production of lipase was seen at 35°C with an activity of 3.30±0.10 U/ml and the best carbon and nitrogen sources were 2% glucose and 2.5% peptone concentrations showing activities of 1.83±0.05 U/ml and 2.60±0.10 U/ml respectively. An incubation period of 72 hours produced the optimum lipase with an activity of 3.26±0.05 U/ml. The separate additions of 0.3M Ca2+ and 0.3M Cl- supported maximum production of lipase.

Conclusion: This study showed that lipase production by B. megaterium can be optimized and the best conditions for optimization included pH 7.0, temperature of 35°C, 72 hours incubation period in the presence of 2% glucose, 2.5% peptone concentrations and 0.3M Ca2+ and 0.3M Cl-.