Screening and Optimization of L-Asparaginase Production From Bacillus Species

Abstract

L-asparaginase is an anti-neoplastic agent used in lymphoblastic leukaemia chemotherapy. In the present work a total of 5 soil samples were collected from various places near to Aurangabad. Soil microbial isolates were screened for potential producers of L-asparaginase using a phenol red indicator growth medium and the microbe producing the largest hydrolysis zone was selected. The isolate was characterized by biochemical tests and was found to belong to Bacillus sp. From these soil samples 12 isolates were identified as Bacillus licheniformis (5), Bacillus alvei (2), Bacillus megaterium (1), Bacillus cereus (1), Bacillus circulans (1) and Bacillus subtilis (2). The optimization study for the process parameters was given useful information about the production of the enzyme maximally. Potential L-asparginase producer isolates were showed the maximum activity at pH 7 and temperature at 37°C.