Mountain Top University Library

Lipases (triacylglycerol acyl hydrolases, E.C. 3.1.1.3), are a family of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of triacylglycerol to glycerol and fatty acids. They are ubiquitous and are produced by a variety of plants, animals, and microbes. Lipase plays an important role as commercial biocatalysts. In this study, fungal isolates from domestic wastewater polluted soil were screened on solid agar for lipase production. The best isolate was identified using morphological and biochemical characterizations. Effects of physico-chemical parameters such as carbon and nitrogen sources, temperature, and pH on lipase production were investigated. A total of 12 fungal strains were isolated and screened for lipase production. Isolate APD1 produced the highest lipase activity and was identified as Trichoderma reesei. Carbon sources, nitrogen sources, incubation temperature and initial pH had significant effects (p<0.05) on lipase production. Glucose (75.95 a U/mL), peptone (76.16 a U/mL), 30 oC (59.41 a U/mL) and pH 6.0 (70.64 a U/mL) supported the optimum lipase production by the selected isolate. Trichoderma reesei APD1 isolated from wastewater polluted soil sample was a good lipase producer which can be harnessed for industrial production.