Optimal design for the maximization of Penicillium cyclopium lipase production

Penicillium cyclopium triacylglycerol lipase production was maximized in st ationary batch culture. We used a surface response methodology based on a D oehlert experimental design to study the effect on the lipase activity rele ased in the culture medium of the three most important factors: substrate c oncentration, pH and inoculum. Besides reducing the number of experiments r equired for optimization, this technique allowed us to quantify the lipase activity in any part of the experimental domain. We determined an optimal s et of conditions for high lipase production: 1% substrate (corn steep), pH 5.5 and an inoculum of 10(4) spores/ml. Between conditions giving the minim um and the maximum lipase production, we observed a nine-fold increase of b oth the predicted and measured values.