ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LIPASE-PRODUCING BACILLUS STERCORIS AS AN INDUSTRIAL BIOCATALYST

Abstract

The present study aims, isolates, and identifies a lipase-producing bacterium from polluted soil at Vadodara's Mujmahuda dumping site. The bacterium strain M2 was identified to be Bacillus stercoris by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which indicated 100% sequence and coverage match (GenBank Accession No: PQ839563).The strain was cultivated in two specialized media (M1 and M2), where M2 with tryptone was more lipase active. Lipase production was established through tests with clear zones, where bigger zones were observed in purified samples. Partial purification with ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis yielded an active enzyme with a molecular weight of approximately 56.2 kDa, obtained through SDS PAGE. The maximum enzyme activity was observed at pH 9.0 and 50 °C, at 3900 U/mL. It was proven to be beneficial in industry through wastewater treatment, where free fatty acids increased from 2.96% to 4.50%, with a 52.43% conversion rate. These findings indicate that Bacillus Stercoris M2 may be an excellent biocatalyst for eco-friendly industrial applications.