RESUMO
Five strains of naringin-degrading bacteria were isolated and found to be positive for extracellular naringinase activity. The one that showed highest activity in the selective medium was identified by 16S rRNA analysis as Bacillus methylotrophicus . The best combination of carbon-nitrogen source was determined by employing two-level full factorial analyses, comprising 24 experiments in shake flasks. Sucrose-yeast extract showed significant increase in naringinase activity (7.46 U/L) compared to the basal medium. Naringinase production was found to be inducible and naringin was found to be the best inducer among naringin, naringenin, hesperidin, and L-rhamnose. Inoculum size of 2% (v/v) and age of 48 hr favored naringinase and biomass production. Highest naringinase activity of 8 U/L was observed at the initial medium pH of 6. Response surface modeling was applied based on central composite design to determine the effects of three independent variables (sucrose, yeast extract, and naringin) and their mutual interactions. In total, 20 experiments were conducted and a statistical model was developed, which predicted naringinase production of 10.61 U/L. Subsequently, verification experiments were conducted and validity of the model was verified. Bioreactor studies conducted with the optimized medium showed an enzyme production of 12.05 U/L within 34 hr of fermentation.