Optimization of nutritional components of medium by response surface methodology for enhanced production of lactase

Lactase has excellent applications in dairy industry and commercially this enzyme is produced from bacterial sources but not in high yields. In this work, the production of lactase was improved by designing of nutrient components in fermentation medium by one factor at a time. Lactose and yeast extract were selected as preferable carbon and nitrogen sources for lactase production with tryptophan and MgSO₄ showing enhanced production. Statistical analysis proved to be a useful and powerful tool in developing optimum fermentation conditions. The individual and interactive role of lactose, yeast extract, magnesium sulfate, and tryptophan concentration on lactase production was examined by central composite design. Submerged fermentation with Bacillus subtilis strain VUVD001 produced lactase activity of 63.54 U/ml in optimized medium. The activity was threefold higher in comparison to an unoptimized medium. This result confirmed that the designed medium was useful for producing higher yields of lactase.