l-Asparaginase Production by Moderate Halophilic Bacteria Isolated from Maharloo Salt Lake

l-Asparaginase is an anti-neoplastic drug used in lymphoblastic leukemia chemotherapy. Nowadays, this enzyme derived from bacterial sources, mostly l-asparaginase II from Escherichia coli and in lesser amount l-asparaginase of Erwinia sp. has medical utilization. The long-term usage of these agents leads to allergic reactions and new asparaginase with new immunological characteristics is required. Halophilic bacteria might contain l-asparaginase with novel immunological properties that can be used in hypersensitive patients. In this experiment, we have screened moderate Halophilic bacteria for l-asparaginase production ability and showed that Halophilic bacteria produce intra- and extracellular l-asparaginase. Bacillus sp. BCCS 034 was found to produce the highest l-asparaginase (1.64 IU/ml supernatant) extracellularly.