Application of a statistically enhanced, novel, organic solvent stable lipase from Bacillus safensis DVL-43

•Bacterial isolate was identified as Bacillus safensis DVL-43 on the basis of 16S rDNA sequencing.•Lipase production was enhanced 11.4-fold using statistical methods.•DVL-43 lipase was used in the esterification of lauric acid and ethanol.•Formation of ethyl-laurate ester was confirmed by TLC and 1H NMR.•Maximum esterification of 80% was achieved after optimization.

This paper presents the molecular identification of a newly isolated bacterial strain producing a novel and organic solvent stable lipase, statistical optimization of fermentation medium, and its application in the synthesis of ethyl laurate. On the basis of nucleotide homology and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequence, the strain was identified as Bacillus safensis DVL-43 (Gen-bank accession number KC156603). Optimization of fermentation medium using Plackett–Burman design and response surface methodology led to 11.4-fold increase in lipase production. The lipase from B. safensis DVL-43 exhibited excellent stability in various organic solvents. The enzyme retained 100% activity after 24 h incubation in xylene, DMSO and toluene, each solvent being used at a concentration of 25% (v/v). The use of partially purified DVL-43 lipase as catalyst in the synthesis of ethyl laurate, an esterification product of lauric acid and ethanol, resulted in 80% esterification in 12 h under optimized conditions. The formation of ethyl laurate was confirmed using TLC and 1H NMR. Organic solvent stable lipases exhibiting potential application in enzymatic esterification are in great demand in flavor, fine chemicals and pharma industries. We could not find any report on lipase production from B. safensis strain and its application in esterification.