Enhancement of the thermostability of Candida cylindracea lipase by medium engineering

The possibility to increase the thermostability of the enzyme Candida cylindracea lipase was studied using the medium engineering method. The purpose was to shift the property of the enzyme obtained from mesophilic organism towards thermophilic character and hence widen its application possibilities. Applying the heptane solvent as reaction medium, the relation between the water content of the reaction mixture and the enzyme activity was investigated in the temperature range of 30 degreesC and 50 degreesC. It was found that decreasing the water content of the reaction mixture, the activity of the enzyme was reduced, while its thermostability increased. The slower deactivation of the enzyme was explained by the reduced amount of water present, necessary for the denaturation reactions.