Inducer Optimization Enhances Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Lipase for Biodetergent Application

Biodetergents represent sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical detergents, with lipases playing a key role in the removal of lipid-based stains. This study aimed to optimize inducer conditions for enhanced lipase production by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and to evaluate the enzyme's suitability for biodetergent applications. Lipase production was carried out in Yeast Nitrogen Base Broth supplemented with 1% (v/v) different oil inducers under varying pH, temperature, and incubation time conditions. The highest lipase activity during production was achieved using olive oil and used cooking oil as inducers, reaching 3.80 and 3.75 U/mL, respectively, at 72 h, pH 6, and 30°C. Biochemical characterization showed that the lipase exhibited optimal activity at pH 8 and 42°C, with a maximum activity of 3.25 U/mL, and retained substantial stability under detergent-relevant conditions. Enzyme activity was enhanced in the presence of Mg²⁺, reaching 4.67 U/mL, whereas Zn²⁺ and Ba²⁺ strongly inhibited activity. In washing performance tests, R. mucilaginosa lipase achieved 29.40% oil removal, compared to 9.90% in the control and 54.53% for commercial Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase. These results demonstrate that inducer optimization significantly improves lipase production and highlight the potential of R. mucilaginosa lipase for biodetergent applications.