Isolation Of Lipolytic Bacteria From Waste Contaminated Soil: A Study With Regard To Process Optimization For Lipase

Production of valuable metabolites by micro-organisms has always been one of the main areas of intense scientific research over the years. In this regard, the present study was undertaken to isolate lipase producing bacteria from waste contaminated site and subsequent optimization of culture parameters (temperature, pH, incubation time, agitation speed, substrate specificity) for extra-cellular lipase production. Effect of carbon source, nitrogen source and metals ions were further assessed to determine the maximum lipase activity. Selection of bacterial isolates was achieved by culture in Tributyrin agar (a selective media for lipase producing bacteria). Out of 18 bacterial isolates, 2 isolates (TU-L1 and TU-L2) were found to be prominent with regard to lipolytic activity. The optimal temperature, pH and incubation time conditions for TU-L1 and TU-L2 were 45oC, 8.0, 18h; and 37oC, 7.0 and 24h respectively. The present study warrants the feasibility of isolation of industrially important microbes from waste contaminated sites.