Influence of growth medium composition on the lipolytic enzyme activity ofOphiostoma piliferum (Cartapip (TM))

Production of esterases (carboxyl esterase EC 3.1.1.1) and lipases (glycero l ester hydrolase EC 3.1.1.3) by Ophiostoma piliferum (Cartapip(TM)), a fun gus commercialized to decrease fatty acyl esters in wood, is described. The influence of various combinations of carbon and nitrogen sources, in the g rowth medium, was examined. Medium containing yeast extract as a nitrogen s ource and olive oil as a carbon source was found to be optimal for extracel lular esterase (221 U dm(-3)) and lipase (152 U dm(-3)) activities. Further increases in those enzyme activities were achieved by decreasing medium pH from 6.5 to 5.5 (esterase 508 U dm(-3); lipase 415 U dm(-3)) and increasin g medium calcium content from 8 m mol dm(-3) to 160 m mol dm(-3) (esterase 4084 U dm(-3); lipase 508 U dm(-3)) (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.