Biosynthesis of galactosidase by mortierella vinacea in shake flasks

ABSTRACT

Biosynthesis of alpha-galactosidase by Mortierella vinacea was studied in shake flasks. Of all carbon sources used, the enzymic activity was maximum in the presence of raffinose, lactose or galactose. Most of the enzymic activity remained intracellular, negligible amount of alpha-galactosidase was found in the culture filtrate when raffinose or lactose used as carbon sources. Effect of nitrogen source on mycelial dry weight and enzyme synthesis was also investigated. The mycelial formation was maximum in the presence of sulphite waste liqour and peptone and it was greatly affected in the presence of casein, casein hydrolyzate, tryptone or inorganic nitrogen source. The enzymic activity, however, was maximum in the control cultures containing corn steep liqour. alpha-Galactosidase production was also investigated by solid substrate fermentation using wheat bran, rape seed meal, soybean meal or defatted rice bran in one litre conical flasks. The enzyme formation was maximum in the presence of soybean meal and it decreased in the order of wheat bran or rape seed meal but invertase, an underirable enzyme in this fermentation, was also formed