Centroid search optimization of cultural conditions affecting the production of extracellular proteinase by Pseudomonas fragi ATCC 4973.

The production of extracellular proteinase by Pseudomonas fragi ATCC 4973 grown in a defined citrate medium, containing glutamine as the sole nitrogen source, was determined under varying cultural conditions. Simultaneous evaluation of cultural conditions using a 'centroid search' optimization technique showed that the optimum cultural conditions for proteinase production by Ps. fragi were: incubation temperature, 12.5 degrees C; incubation time, 38 h; initial pH, 6.8; organic nitrogen concentration, 314 mmol nitrogen/l (glutamine); a gas mixture containing 16.4% oxygen flowing over the medium (7.42 ppm dissolved oxygen). Oxygen was the major factor influencing proteinase production by Ps. fragi. The results may have applications in the storage of fluid milk. Centroid search optimization was shown to be suitable for microbiological experiments.