Optimization of b-galactosidase production using Kluyveromyces lactis NRRL Y-8279 by response surface methodology

This paper investigates the production and optimization of b-galactosidase enzyme using synthetic medium by Kluyveromyces lactis NRRL Y-8279 in shake flask cultures. Among the different cell disintegration methods used, the highest specific activity was obtained when the cells were permeabilized using isoamyl alcohol. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of four fermentation parameters (agitation speed, pH, initial substrate concentration and incubation time) on b-galactosidase enzyme production. Results of the statistical analysis showed that the fit of the model was good in all cases. Maximum specific enzyme activity of 4218.4 U g-1 was obtained at the optimum levels of process variables (pH 7.35, agitation speed 179.2 rpm, initial sugar concentration 24.9 g l-1 and incubation time 50.9 hrs). The response surface methodology was found to be useful in optimizing and determining the interactions among process variables in b-galactosidase enzyme production.

Catabolite repression in Streptomyces venezuelae. Induction of beta-galactosidase, chloramphenicol production, and intracellular cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate concentrations.

Chloramphenicol production was studied in cultures of Streptomyces venezuelae growing in a simple buffered medium with ammonia as the nitrogen source and glucose, lactose, or a glucose-lactose mixture as the sole source of carbon. With each carbon source the antibiotic was formed during growth. In the glucose-lactose medium, the production pattern was biphasic; a marked decrease in the rate of synthesis was associated with depletion of glucose from the medium and a corresponding diauxie pause in growth. Cells of S. venezuelae contained an inducible beta-galactosidase. Induction by lactose was suppressed by glucose. Measurement of the concentration of intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate during growth of cultures with glucose or a glucose-lactose mixture as the source of carbon showed no appreciable changes coinciding with depletion of glucose or the onset of chloramphenicol biosynthesis. It is concluded that the cyclic nucleotide does not mediate selective nutrient utilization or control antibiotic biosynthesis in this organism.