Lipase-producing Filamentous Fungi from Non-dairy Creamer Industrial Waste

Lipase-producing fungi have been isolated from environments containing lipids. The non-dairy creamer industrial waste has a high amount of lipids so it is a potential source for the isolation of lipase-producing fungi. However, the study of fungi that secrete lipase from this industrial waste has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to obtain lipase-producing filamentous fungi from non-dairy creamer industrial waste. Mineral salt and potato dextrose agar were used as media for the isolation process. The qualitative screening was conducted using phenol red agar medium and the quantitative screening using broth medium containing glucose and olive oil. Isolates producing the highest amounts of lipase were identified with molecular methods. We found that 5 out of 19 isolated filamentous fungi are lipase producers. Further analysis showed that isolate Ms.11 produced the highest amount of lipase compared to others. Based on ITS sequence Ms.11 was identified as Aspergillus aculeatus. The lipase activity in medium containing 1% glucose + 1% olive oil at pH 7.0 and 30℃ after 96 and 120 h of incubation was 5.13 ± 0.30 U/ml and 5.22 ± 0.59 U/ml, respectively. The optimum lipase activity was found at pH 7.0, 30℃ and using methanol or ethanol in the reaction tube. Lipase was more stable at 20-30℃ and maintained 85% of its activity. It was concluded that isolate Ms.11 is a potential source of lipase that catalyzes transesterification reactions. Further studies are required to optimize lipase production to make the strain suitable for industry purposes.