Molecular identification of a cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase-producing microorganism and phylogenetic assessment of enzymatic activities.

Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases (CGTases) are important enzymes in the biotechnology field because they catalyze starch conversion into cyclodextrins and linear oligosaccharides, which are used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The CGTases are classified according to their product specificity in α-, ß-, α/ß- and γ-CGTases. As molecular markers are the preferred tool for bacterial identification, we employed six molecular markers (16S rRNA, dnaK, gyrB, recA, rpoB and tufA) to test the identification of a CGTase-producing bacterial strain (DF 9R) in a phylogenetic context. In addition, we assessed the phylogenetic relationship of CGTases along bacterial evolution. The results obtained here allowed us to identify the strain DF 9R as Paenibacillus barengoltzii, and to unveil a complex origin for CGTase types during archaeal and bacterial evolution. We postulate that the α-CGTase activity represents the ancestral type, and that the γ-activity may have derived from ß-CGTases.

Continuous production of cyclodextrins in an ultrafiltration membrane reactor, catalyzed by cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase from Bacillus circulans DF 9R.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides of wide industrial application, whose synthesis is catalyzed by Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) from starch. Here, CDs were produced using CGTase from Bacillus circulans DF 9R in continuous process and an ultrafiltration membrane reactor. The batch process was conducted as a control. This method allowed increasing the yield from 40 to 55.6% and the productivity from 26.1 to 99.5 mg of CD per unit of enzyme. The method also allowed obtaining a high-purity product. The flow rate remained at 50% of its initial value after 24 h of process, improving the results described in the literature for starch hydrolysis processes. CGTase remained active throughout the process, which could be explained by the protective effect of the substrate and reaction products on CGTase stability. In addition, batch processes were developed using starches from different sources. We concluded that any of the starches studied could be used as substrate for CD production with similar yields and product specificity.

Optimisation of batch culture conditions for cyclodextrin glucanotransferase production from Bacillus circulans DF 9R.

BACKGROUND: The extracellular enzyme cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) synthesizes cyclic malto-oligosaccharides called cyclodextrins (CDs) from starch and related alpha-1,4-glucans. CGTases are produced by a variety of bacteria, mainly Bacillus species, by submerged culture in complex medium. CGTases differ in the amount and types of CDs produced. In addition, CGTase production is highly dependent on the strain, medium composition and culture conditions. Therefore we undertook this study with a newly isolated strain of Bacillus circulans. RESULTS: CGTase activity produced from Bacillus circulans DF 9R was optimised in shake flasks using a combination of conventional sequential techniques and statistical experimental design. Effects of nutrients, including several carbon, nitrogen and mineral sources, were assayed. The selected minimal medium consisted of 1.5 % cassava starch, 0.4 % ammonium sulphate, 0.1 M phosphate buffer, 0.002 % MgSO4 and 0.002 % FeSO4. The optimal concentrations of carbon and nitrogen sources were determined using a central composite design. Maximum CGTase activity obtained in supernatants was 5.8 U/mL in 48 h of incubation. Optimal conditions for enzyme production also included an initial pH of 8.3 and 37 degrees C as the incubation temperature.Cell growth and CGTase production profile were not linked to each other, suggesting that enzyme production/secretion is not growth-associated but mainly a late-log phase event. CONCLUSION: We have screened conditions for optimal CGTase production. The selected minimal medium contained starch, ammonium, Mg2+ and Fe2+ as essential nutrients. As an additional advantage, this medium does not require complex nitrogen sources with varying and unknown composition.