PRODUCTION, ISOLATION AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A LIPASE-ESTERASE FROM PEDIOCOCCUS-PENTOSACEUS SV61

Pediococcus pentosaceus SV61 was found to produce a lipase-esterase du ring fermentative growth at both constant (pH 6.0) and uncontrolled pH . A lipase-esterase extract was isolated from P. pentosaceus SV61 havi ng optimum activity at 35 degrees C in a triglyceride emulsion assay u sing tributyrin as substrate. Activity of the lipase-esterase extract was detected from pH 5.0 to pH 10.3, with an optimum around pH 9.0. An increase in NaCl concentration of 0-40 g/L triglyceride emulsion gave a decrease in enzyme activity of approximately 85-90%. Additional inc rease in NaCl concentration (40-100 g/L triglyceride emulsion) gave no further decrease in enzyme activity, The lipase-esterase had maximum activity towards tributyrin and tricaprylin. Activity towards tricapro in, trilaurin and olive oil was approximately 3-6% of the activity tow ards tributyrin. Results obtained are discussed in relation to the pos sible effect of lipase-esterase activity of P. pentosaceus SV61 during fermentation of dry sausages. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited