Production of cutinase by Thermomonospora fusca ATCC 27730

• Published in: Journal of applied microbiology Vol. 86; no. 4; pp. 561 - 568
• Main Authors: Fett, W.F, Wijey, C, Moreau, R.A, Osman, S.F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01-04-1999; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: apples; bacterial proteins; Biological and medical sciences; Biology of microorganisms of confirmed or potential industrial interest; Biotechnology; cutin; cutinase; enzymatic hydrolysis; enzyme activity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Miscellaneous; Mission oriented research; polyesters; suberin; Thermobifida fusca; Thermomonospora fusca; Actinomycetales; Cutin; Hydrolysis; Enzymatic activity; Enzyme; Induction; Micromonosporaceae; Production; Bacteria; Actinomycetes; Thermomonospora fusca; Physicochemical properties
• ISSN: 1364-5072; 1365-2672
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.1999.00690.x

Ten strains belonging to various Thermomonospora species were tested for their ability to hydrolyse the insoluble plant polyester cutin. One strain, the thermophile T. fusca ATCC 27730, was found to produce a highly inducible cutinase when grown in broth medium containing purified apple cv. Golden Delicious cutin. Apple pomace, tomato peel, potato suberin and commercial cork were also shown to induce cutinase production. Addition of glucose to the culture medium either at the beginning of fermentation or after 2 days of incubation in the presence of apple cutin led to repression of cutinase production. The cutinase was active against a wide range of cutins, including those isolated from other apple cultivars as well as tomato, cucumber, grapefruit, and green pepper. Cutinase activity in the induced culture supernatant fluids exhibited a half-life of over 60 min at 70 degrees C and a pH optimum of 11.0.Some potential applications for cutinases are discussed.