Factors influencing β-glucosidase production, activity and stability inNectria catalinensis

Abstract

The influence of different cultivation conditions on β-glucosidase production and of some parameters on the activity and stability of this enzyme were studied inNectria catalinensis. Maximal β-glucosidase production was achieved with ammonium nitrate (0.5 g N/L) as nitrogen source. Tween 80, Tween 20 and Triton X-100 increased β-glucosidase yields, Tween 80 was the most effective for enzyme release and growth at a concentration of 3.4 mmol/L. On the other hand, Tween 20 and Triton X-100 had an inhibitory effect onN. catalinensis growth. A temperature of 23°C and an initial pH of cultures of 6.5 were optimal for biomass and β-glucosidase production. Under optimal cultural conditions (ammonium nitrate, 0.5 g N/L; Tween 80, 3.4 mmol/L; 23°C; initial pH 6.5) the β-glucosidase yield was increased more than five fold respect to the initial state. Optimal temperature for β-glucosidase activity was 45°C, the initial activity dropped 60 % after 6 h of incubation at this temperature. Optimal pH for enzyme activity was 5.3. At this pH the β-glucosidase was completely stable after 3 d of incubation. TheV andK m values calculated from Lineweaver-Burk and Eadie-Hofstee plots were 0.23 μmol 4-nitrophenol per min per mg of protein and 0.25 mmol 4-nitrophenol β-d-glucopyranoside per L, respectively. The activation energy according to Arrhenius plot was 49.6 KJ/mol.