WITHDRAWN: Production of β-galactosidase from a Lactobacillus species

Abstract

Production of β-galactosidase from a bacterial strain isolated from dairy wastewater was investigated. The isolate was screened for β-galactosidase producing ability and was confirmed as Lactobacilli acidophilus using biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique. The optimum pH for β-galactosidase production was 6.0 with an activity of 121.70 μmol/min at 37°C. Lactobacilli acidophilus produced enzyme with the highest β-galactosidase activity (126.56 μmol/min) on the 12 th day of fermentation. The isolate was able to produce an enzyme with β-galactosidase activities of 121.93 and 112.21 μmol/min to utilize lactose and sugarcane bagasse, respectively more than glucose and a compendium of glucose and lactose. The best nitrogen source for β-galactosidase production was peptone with a β-galactosidase activity of 119.34 μmol/min, followed by a compendium of ammonium sulfate salt and beef extract which gave β-galactosidase activity of 118.91 μmol/min. These findings show that Lactobacillus acidophilus from dairy industrial wastewater can be an alternative source for β-galactosidase production using sugarcane bagasse which is a cheap readily available agro-waste. Also, the enzyme showed more preference for lactose suggesting its potential in the reduction of lactose level in dairy products.