Isolation and Optimization of Lipase Producing Microorganism from Degrading Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Kernel Nut Oil

Aim: Most commercially useful lipases are of microbial origin. The increasing tendency of its market shows the importance to search new microbial resources to produce these enzymes.

Study Design: The study is designed at isolating lipase producing microorganism and to optimize the cultural conditions for the biosynthesis of extracellular lipase.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted between April and September, 2015 at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Methodology: Palm kernel seeds were purchased from Oja Oba, Akure, Ondo State Nigeria. The oil was extracted using n-hexane by Soxhlet extractor. The oil samples were stored at room temperature (25°C±1) for three months. Microorganisms were isolated from the oil and identified every two weeks of storage. The isolated microorganisms were screened for lipolytic activity using qualitative plate assay method. The effects of pH, incubation period, substrate concentration and temperature were observed on the lipolytic activities of the microorganism that shows maximum activity. The isolate showing maximum activity was identified by following Berger’s manual.

Results: All the isolates were tested for lipase activity and only the fungi Aspergillus flavus, A. saprophyticus, Penicllium notatum and Articulosporium inflate showed sign of lipolytic activities. Aspergillus saprophyticus showed the maximum activity. The optimum activity was produced for Aspergillus saprophyticus at 35°C, incubation period of 5 days, pH of 7 and substrate concentration of 1.5 ml.

Conclusion: This study showed palm (Elaeis guineensis) kernel oil as source of four major lipase producing microorganism namely Articosporium inflate, Aspergillus flavus. A. saprophyticus and Penicillium notatum. Optimization studies on the cultural condition for maximum lipase activity were done on the isolated Apergillus saprophyticus. The optimization improved the lipase production but further studies are needed to enhance lipase production of the organism.