A highly selective whole cell biocatalysis method for the production of two major bioactive conjugated linoleic acid isomers

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is well known potential anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic and a number of other therapeutic qualities bearing substance. In the present study we have isolated Lactobacillus plantarum from local dairy buffalo milk and used as a whole cell biocatalyst, for selective CLA isomer production from linoleic acid (LA). Quantitative analysis revealed that the cis-9, trans-11 CLA comprised of 51% (w/w), while trans-10, cis-12 CLA accounted for 49% (w/w) of total CLA produced by L. plantarum. The product formation and quantitation was monitored by the spectrophotometric method and the individual isomers separation was done with GC-FID. After optimization of biotransformation conditions such as pH, LA concentration, effect of preincubation, fermentation time; the highest CLA production (19.07% conversion) was achieved at 120 h in the presence of 1.62 mg ml−1 of LA. The results revealed that the bacterium is an efficient biocatalyst for the production of two major bioactive CLA isomers using LA as a substrate.