Isolation and identification of thermostable lipase producing bacteria

Lipases are industrial important enzymes and produced by variety microorganism. Thermostable lipase producing bacteria was isolated from Tok Bok Hot spring in Kelantan. The aim for this research was to isolate the potential lipase producer forms the Hot Spring and further identified and characterized using biochemical test and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Medium contain tributyrin agar was employed for isolation studies. Based on lypolytic halo, ten strains, that can be identifies were A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, and A10. Rhodamine B. agar plate was employed as the confirmation of the lipase activity. Biochemical test of the 10 cultures was carried out to identity the expected species of bacteria. Based on the test, expected lipase producer was Corynebacterium xerosis for A1 , while for strain from A4, A6, and A10 were had same characteristics with Staphylococcus aureus. A3, A5, A7, A8, and A9 of were similar with Staphylococcus sp. Lipases from thermophiles are expected to play a significant role in industrial processes, since they are thermostable and resistant to chemical denaturation, Thermostable lipases are employed in various industries which includes food and diary, fat and oil modification, detergent, cosmetic, pharmaceuticals, organic synthesis, oleo-chemical and biodiesel production. The high potential of lipase application in various industries has resulted in increasing demands for new lipase producer which is highly active with specific stability to temperature, pH, ionic strength, surfactants and organic solvents.