LIPOLYTIC-ACTIVITY IN FREE AND IMMOBILIZED CELLS OF PHOMA-GLOMERATA

The lipolytic activity of free and immobilized whole cells of the path ogenic fungus Phoma glomerata was demonstrated, and several properties of the lipase involved were determined. Free fungal cells and small p ieces of immobilized cells, prepared by spontaneous colonization on a solid surface or entrapped in calcium alginate, were incubated with tr iolein in buffered medium. Different incubation conditions were assaye d to optimize the reaction, to determine the effects of heating and ti me on stability of the immobilized preparations and the time course of the reactions. Although the enzyme cleaves all ester bonds of triolei n, it shows some preference for the outer bonds. An optimal pH of 7.5- 8.0, optimal temperature of 45 degrees C for free and 50 degrees C for immobilized cell preparations, the necessity for substrate emulsifier s, and reaction independence from calcium and magnesium were demonstra ted. Results suggest that immobilized whole cells of P. glomerata woul d be a suitable tool to study its lipid physiology and to explore furt her the possible biotechnological use of its lipase activity.