BACTERIAL ALGINATE LYASE - CHARACTERIZATION OF ALGINATE LYASE-PRODUCING BACTERIA AND PURIFICATION OF THE ENZYME

Two kinds of bacteria producing alginate lyase were isolated from ditch sample and they were designated A-1 and A-2 strains. Morphological and physiological properties of the two strains were closely similar to each other, except that the cells of strain A-1 showed flocculation during growth on a medium containing alginate as a carbon source. The cells of strain A-1 produced three kinds of intracellular alginate lyases (A1-I, A1-II-1 and A1-II-2). The cells of strain A-2 also contained three kinds of alginate lyases (A2-I, A2-II-1 and A2-II-2) in cells. Completely purified A1-II-1 and A2-I enzymes were monomer with a molecular weight of 60,000. A1-I (partially purified), A1-II-1 and A2-I enzymes were most active at pH 8.0 and hydrolyzed sodium-, potassium- and propylene glycol-alginates at almost the same efficiencies.