Abstract:
At the moment, the information on lipase-producing marine bacteria is quite limited.
In this study, the ability to produce this enzyme by marine bacteria MD022, isolated
from coral mucus at Pulau Bidong, Terengganu was investigated. In order to
confirm the identification of the bacteria, biochemical tests based on their
morphological and phenotypic characteristics have been carried out. The results
suggested that MD022 bacterium is Klebsiella pneumoniae. Prior to the induction of
lipase by the bacteria, three different media have been tested to determine the best
culture medium: Nutrient Broth added with distilled water, Nutrient Broth added
with sea water and ZoBell's modified broth. ZoBell's medium was found to contain
the highest bacterial growth and needed four hours and 15 minutes to reach the log
phase of bacterial growth. In order to induce the lipase production, an investigation
on the optimum culture conditions was held: incubation time, temperature and
amount of substrate.
