FUNGAL STRAIN GEOTRICHUM CANDIDUM WHICH SELECTIVELY HYDROLYSES OLEIC ACID ESTERS OVER OTHER SATURATED/UNSATURATED FATTY ACID ESTERS, USE AND CULTIVATION

摘要

A mutant fungal strain, namely G. candidum NRRL Y-552, mutant known as Henkel 9-2-3-9 produces a lipase called "UNLipase" providing a selectivity of 25:1 for oleic acid over palmitic acid by the assay procedure employed. UNLipase has a temperature range of operation of between 0 and 40 degrees Celsius (and no activity over 55 degrees Celsius). The optimum pH ranges are between 7.5 and 8.5. Magnesium cations increase activity, whereas calcium cations are inhibitory. The molecular weight of the protein appears to be 65 kDa by size exclusion chromatography. UNLipase shows a high degree of selectivity for hydrolysis, esterification and transesterification.