Abstract

The utilization of agro waste for the production of lipase enzyme was one of the ecofriendly methods for the management of waste. From 34 actinomycetes strains screened from sediments of Tiruchendhur coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, India, 26 strains exhibited lipase activity. The marine actinomycete strain MAC 7 was used for the production of extracellular lipase by using mixed coconut oil cake waste as substrate. The strain showed maximum lipase activity at pH 9 and temperature 55°C. The solid state fermentation was carried out for 8 days with 80% moisture content. The lipase extracted from marine actinomycete was highly alkaline and thermophilic in nature. The enzyme was further utilized as a good detergent additive.

Key words: Actinomycete, coconut oil cake, lipase, Streptomyces indiaensis, solid state fermentation, wheat bran.