Screening for lipase activity by md 029b bacteria isolated from coral mucus

Abstract

Lipase is a class of enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of long chain triglycerides, which constitutes to the most important group of biotechnological applications. In this study, the ability to produce this enzyme by marine bacteria MD 029b isolated from coral mucus at Pulau Bidong Terengganu, was investigated. The identification of the bacterium was confirmed by several biochemical tests based on their morphological and phenotypic characteristics. The results suggested that the bacteria is Alteromonas sp. Prior to the induction of lipase by the bacteria, three different media have been tested to determine the best culture medium: nutrient broth in distilled water, nutrient broth in sea water and Zobell medium; nutrient broth in sea water was found to contain the highest bacterial growth. The preliminary step of lipase induction that is the pre-inoculum preparation has been carried out.