Production of tannase by the immobilized cells of Bacillus licheniformis KBR6 in Ca-alginate beads.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was aimed at finding the optimal conditions for immobilization of Bacillus licheniformis KBR6 cells in calcium-alginate (Ca-alginate) beads and determining the operational stability during the production of tannin-acyl-hydrolase (tannase) under semicontinous cultivation.


RESULTS
The active cells of B. licheniformis KBR6 were immobilized in Ca-alginate and used for the production of tannase. The influence of alginate concentration (5, 10, 20 and 30 g l(-1)) and initial cell loading on enzyme production were studied. The production of tannase increased significantly with increasing alginate concentration and reached a maximum enzyme yield of 0.56 +/- 0.03 U ml(-1) at 20 g l(-1). This was about 1.70-fold higher than that obtained by free cells. The immobilized cells produced tannase consistently over 13 repeated cycles and reached a maximum level at the third cycle. Scanning electron microscope study indicated that the cells in Ca-alginate beads remain in normal shape.


CONCLUSIONS
The Ca-alginate entrapment is a promising immobilization method of B. licheniformis KBR6 for repeated tannase production. Tannase production by immobilized cells is superior to that of free cells because it leads to higher volumetric activities within the same period of fermentation.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of tannase production from immobilized bacterial cells. The bacterium under study can produce higher amounts of tannase with respect to other fungal strains within a short cultivation period.
Mohapatra
P K D
PK
Department of Microbiology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India.
Mondal
K C
KC
Pati
B R
BR
D000464:Alginates / Q000032:analysis; D001407:Bacillus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003470:Culture Media; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D013634:Tannins / Q000032:analysis
D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003470:Culture Media; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D013634:Tannins; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; C022711:tannase