Abstract

In this study, cultural conditions were optimized for enhanced production of lipase byPenicillium notatum. Different agricultural wastes including canola oilseed cake, sesame oilseed cake, linseed oil cake, cotton oilseed cake, rice bran and wheat bran were used as substrates for their potential to be used for the production of lipase under solid state fermentation conditions. Among these, the canola oil seed cake proved to be the best substrate for production of lipase under solid state fermentation conditions. A maximum lipase activity of 5335 U/g dry substrate was observed after 96 h of incubation period using 60% moisture content, at pH 5, incubation temperature of 30°C and olive oil of 3%. Enrichment with maltose as carbon source enhanced the lipase production significantly, while nitrogen supplementation did not affect the lipase production significantly. The optimization of conditions led to two-fold enhancement of lipase activity as compared to the initial enzyme activity.

Key words: Fermentation, Penicillium notatum, olive oil, lipase, culture conditions