Three new lipases from actinomycetes and their use in organic reactions

Three novel lipase-producing microorganisms have been isolated from 526 act inomycete strains by employing screening techniques on solid media, Time-co urse and scale-up of enzyme production were analyzed. The lipases, produced by microorganisms belonging to the Streptomyces genus, were tested in seve ral reactions in organic medium using unnatural substrates. The lyophilized crude lipases are stable at least for 1 month at 4 degreesC (100% recovere d activity). The lipase activity per milliliter of cell culture broth was h igher than described in the literature for other lipases from actinomycetes . The three selected lipases displayed better activity than commercial lipa se from Candida rugosa in the resolution of chiral secondary alcohols. The lipase from S. halstedii also displayed very good activity in the synthesis of carbamates.