Lipase (Glycerol ester hydrolase EC 3.1.1.3.) from a Brazilian strain of Fu
sarium solani FS1 has been investigated. The effect of different carbon sou
rces and trace elements added to basal medium was observed with the aim of
improving enzyme production. Lipase specific activity was highest (0.45 U m
g(-1)) for sesame oil. When this medium was supplemented with trace element
s using olive oil, corn oil and sesame oil the lipase specific activity inc
reased to 0.86, 1.89 and 1.64 U mg(-1), respectively, after 96 h cultivatio
n without any considerable biomass increase. The K-m of this lipase using p
NPP (p-nitrophenylpalmitate) as substrate, was 1.8 mM with a V-max of 1.7 m
u mol min(-1) mg protein(-1). Lipase activity increased in the presence of
increasing concentrations of hexane and toluene. In contrast, incubation of
this enzyme with water-soluble solvents decreased its activity after 10% c
oncentration (v/v) of the solvent. The lipase activity was stable below 35
degrees C but above this temperature activity losses were observed. (C) 200
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