Purification and characterization of an extracellular lipase from a novel strain Penicillium sp. DS-39 (DSM 23773)

A newly isolated fungal strain, Penicillium sp. DS-39 (DSM 23773), was found to produce an inducible extracellular lipase when grown in a medium containing 1.0% (v/v) olive oil. Maximum lipase activity was obtained after 120 h of incubation at 28 °C. The lipase was purified 129-fold with a final specific activity of 308.73 IU/mg. The molecular weight of the homogeneous lipase was 43 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. It was optimally active at pH 5.5 and 45 °C. The lipase was most active on triolein and exhibited a broad substrate range with a preference for triacylglycerols containing long chain unsaturated fatty acids. It showed no regio-specificity for the ester bond in triolein. It was activated by Ca2+ and Mn2+, while significant inhibition was observed with Hg2+ and Zn2+. The lipase showed significant stability and activation in the presence of organic solvents with log P ≥ 2.0. These features render Penicillium sp. DS-39 lipase (PEL) a potential biocatalyst for applications such as biodiesel production, enzymatic restructuring, by interesterification of different oils and fats, and biodegradation of oil spills in the environment.

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• An extracellular lipase (PEL) produced by Penicillium sp. DSM 23773 was purified.
• A 129-fold purification, with a specific activity of 308.73 IU/mg, was achieved.
• PEL showed high thermostability uncommon in lipases from mesophilic fungi.
• PEL was stable, with activation, in organic solvents (50%, v/v) with log P ≥ 2.0.
• PEL is a potentially useful biocatalyst for various industrial applications.