Influence of pH on the expression of a recombinant epoxide hydrolase in Aspergillus niger

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger was investigated in relation to its ability to produce a soluble epoxide hydrolase (EH) (E.C. 3.3.2.3) belonging to the microsomal EH family. This EH is a highly useful biocatalyst for kinetic resolution of racemic epoxides to give enantiopure building blocks. The production of EH on an industrial scale is still a major challenge and is linked to various optimization processes. In this work, production of protein and organic acids as a function of pH and cultivation time was investigated. The production of EH was highest (1000 U/L for p-nitrostyrene oxide) under acidic fermentation conditions (pH value of about 3). The metabolic flux toward production of organic acids and thereby acidification of the environment increased with an increasing pH value. At pH 7, nearly 50% of total carbon of the substrate was incorporated into organic acids, mainly gluconic and oxalic acid. Finally, the addition of protease inhibitors, antioxidants and cryoprotectants was investigated in relation to the stability of the EH during the downstream process. The determination of the pH dependence during fermentation and understanding of the parameters influencing the stability of the enzyme has allowed us to optimize intracellular expression. The EH has been easily isolated from the biomass with high activity (1.67 U/mg lyophilisate) in a robust process.