Sirma Yegin

Levan production by Zymomonas mobilis in batch and continuous fermentation systems.

Levan production in batch and continuous fermentation systems by Zymomonas mobilis B-14023 was investigated. The culture medium used in both of the fermentation systems contained sucrose and various organic nitrogen sources. Maximum concentration of levan was produced with yeast extract among the nitrogen sources tested. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of three factors on the concentration of levan in batch cultures of Z. mobilis. Maximum levan concentration was 40.2 g/L and this concentration was reached at the optimum levels of process variables, which were 299.1 g/L initial substrate concentration, 42.3 h incubation time, and initial pH 6.0. Continuous fermentation experiments were done in packed bed bioreactor using Ca-alginate immobilized Z. mobilis cells. The highest levan concentration (31.8 ± 0.21 g/L) was obtained at a dilution rate of 0.14 h(-1) while maximum volumetric productivity (6.556 g/(Lh)) was obtained at a dilution rate of 0.22 h(-1). Increasing the dilution rate resulted in decreased levan and increased residual sugar concentrations.

Single-step purification and characterization of an extreme halophilic, ethanol tolerant and acidophilic xylanase from Aureobasidium pullulans NRRL Y-2311-1 with application potential in the food industry

An extracellular xylanase from Aureobasidium pullulans NRRL Y-2311-1 produced on wheat bran was purified by a single-step chromatographic procedure. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 21.6kDa. The optimum pH and temperature for xylanase activity were 4.0 and 30-50°C, respectively. The enzyme was stable in the pH range of 3.0-8.0. The inactivation energy of the enzyme was calculated as 218kJmol-1. The xylanase was ethanol tolerant and kept complete activity in the presence of 10% ethanol. Likewise, it retained almost complete activity at a concentration range of 0-20% NaCl. In general, the enzyme was resistant to several metal ions and reagents. Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, K1+, EDTA and β-mercaptoethanol resulted in enhanced xylanase activity. The Km and Vmax values on beechwood xylan were determined to be 19.43mgml-1 and 848.4Uml-1, respectively. The enzyme exhibits excellent characteristics and could, therefore, be a promising candidate for application in food and bio-industries.

Xylanase production by Aureobasidium pullulans on globe artichoke stem: Bioprocess optimization, enzyme characterization and application in saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass

ABSTRACT Statistical optimization of the factors affecting xylanase production by Aureobasidium pullulans NRRL Y-2311-1 on globe artichoke stem was performed for the first time. The optimization strategies used resulted in almost six-fold enhancement of xylanase production (66.48 U/ml). Biochemical and thermal characterization of the crude xylanase preparation was performed to elucidate its feasibility for different industrial applications. The optimum conditions for xylanase activity were pH 4.0 and 30–50°C. The enzyme was very stable over a wide pH range of 3.0–8.0. The thermal stability studies revealed an inactivation energy of 183 kJ/mol. Thermodynamic parameters (enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy) for thermal inactivation were also determined. Primary application of the crude xylanase preparation in saccharification of corn cob subjected to different pretreatment techniques has been evaluated. The crude xylanase preparation was very promising for saccharification of corn cob pretreated with aqueous ammonia. The maximum yield of reducing sugar was 357 mg/g dry substrate, which revealed that the crude xylanase from A. pullulans could be a very good alternative in saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass for biological fuel generation. This study also provides a basis for further exploitation of globe artichoke by-products in microbial production of several other industrially significant metabolites.