Potentiality of artificial sea water salts for the production of carrageenase by a marine Cytophaga sp.

Production of an extracellular enzyme complex (carrageenase) was studied by examining cell-free fluids from cultures of a marine Cytophaga, 1k-C783, growing on different media. Among artificial sea water salts, only NaCl and MgCl2 were utilized by the organism to produce carrageenase. The minimal concentrations of suitable combinations of NaCl and MgCl2 were found to be 0.05 M NaCl plus 0.25 M MgCl2, and 0.15 M NaCl plus 0.15 M MgCl2. KCl and CaCl2 did not have any role in carrageenase production in ZoBell 2216 E broth medium. Carrageenase was synthesized continuously within the resting cells and was released from the cells as well as in the growing cells, when nutrient had been supplied.