Lipase : a novel Metarhizium anisopliae enzyme. Production and solubilization

Abstract

Lipase from a Brazilian strain of Metarhizium anisopliae was investigated. The effect of different lipid sources added to basal medium was verified to improve enzyme production. Biomass was highest for sunflower oil (21.88 mg.mL⁻¹), however lipase specific activity was highest olive oil (108.38 U.mg⁻¹). In the presence of surfactants, the highest lipase activity always occurred when SDS, Tween 20 and Tween 80 were added after 50h M. anisopliae growth, being SDS (4.54± 0.46 U.mL⁻¹) and Tween 80 (4.15±1.13 U.mL⁻¹) the best surfactants. This is the first report investigating lipase production by an entomopathogenic fungus.