Effect of pH, temperature and culture medium composition on the production of an extracellular cysteine proteinase by Micrococcus sp. INIA 528.

Growth and proteinase production by Micrococcus sp. INIA 528 in a batch-operated laboratory fermentor were investigated, with trypticase soy broth as the basal medium for studies on optimum temperature, pH and medium composition. Maximum growth was recorded at 34 degrees C and pH 7.5, whereas optimum temperature and pH for proteinase production were 31 degrees C and pH 6.25. Maximum rate of enzyme production occurred during the late log and early stationary phases of growth. Addition of 5.0 g l-1 yeast extract, 1.0 g l-1 glucose, 1.0 g l-1 MgSO4 or 1.0 g l-1 K2HPO4 to basal medium resulted in a lower enzyme yield, but supplementation of basal medium with 2.5 g l-1 (NH4)2SO4 increased enzyme production by 45%. A high initial biomass added to fresh both supplemented with 2.5 g l-1 (NH4)2SO4 only increased enzyme activity by 19%, compared to the maximum enzyme activity achieved with the standard inoculum.