Research article

Soil fungi as a new source for production of cephalosporin C acylase and its optimization conditions

^*1,2Saleem A, ³Moharram AM and Fathy N⁴

¹Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt

² Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Monawarah, Saudi Arabia

³ Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Assuit University, Assiut, Egypt

⁴ Department of Microbiology, Hebi Company for Pharmaceutical Industries, Egypt

*Corresponding Author E-mail: asaleem@hotmail.com

Accepted 02 March 2015

Abstract

Fifty fungal isolates representing thirty one (31) species and eight (8) genera were isolated from soil and screened for their abilities to produce endocellular and exocellular cephalosporin C acylase enzymes. For endocellular enzyme, sixteen (16) isolates (represent 32% of total isolates) exhibited high enzyme production and nine (9) isolates (18%) had moderate ability. However, seventeen isolates (34%) were low producers and eight isolates (16%) had no ability to produce the enzyme. For exocellular enzyme, twenty seven isolates (represent 54% of total isolates) exhibited high enzyme production and six isolates (12%) were found to be moderate. However, nine isolates (18%) were low producers and eight isolates (16%) had no production. The most active fungal isolates for exocellular enzyme were Gibberella intricans and Nectria haematococca. They produced 998 and 1000 units/ml, respectively. Maximum activity of cephalosporin C acylase produced by these fungi was obtained after seven (7) incubation days at 30oC with initial pH 7 in culture medium containing glucose or maltose and ammonium sulphate or peptone as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Inoculation of cultures by three (3) discs of fungi and incubation of cultures at 180 rpm shaking condition increased the enzyme production.

Keywords: Cephalosporin C acylase, Gibberella intricans and Nectria haematococca