Isolation of Lipase Producing Actinobacteria from Birnin Kebbi Soil

1.1 Introduction

Lipases are serine hydrolases that catalyze both hydrolysis and synthesis of long-chain triacylglycerols. Lipases are occupy a place of prominence among biocatalysts owning to their ability to catalyze a wide variety of reactions and are an important group of biotechnologically relevant enzymes and they find massive applications (Mohammed, 2013). As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

---

1.2 Background of Study

Lipases are carboxylic ester hydrolases currently attracting an enormous attention due to they are the most versatile and widely used enzyme in biotechnological applications and owing to their unique properties(Cristian,2005). Lipases are produced by microorganisms (bacteria and fungi), plants and animals, However ,microbial lipase especially from bacteria are more useful than their plant and animal origin. since they have great variety of catalytic activities and microorganisms are easy to manipulate genetically and capable of rapid growth on inexpensive media(Sirisha, 2010; Veerapagu et al 2013; Mongkolthanaruk and Boonmahome, 2013; Veerapagu et al,2014; Jinyong, 2014;). The microbial lipases are commercially most important mainly are secreted into the culture medium by many of microbial species are belong to bacteria, fungi, yeasts and actinomyces(Jeager and Reetz, 1998; Babu and Rap, 2007; Abada, 2008).

Lipases play a vital role in the manufacturing and services sectors for the mankind . Microbial lipases have gained special industrial attention due to their selectivity, stability and broad substrate specificity. Microbial enzymes are also more stable than their corresponding animal and plant enzymes and their production is more convenient and safer(Veerapagu et al, 2013).

Generally, bacterial lipases are glycoproteins but some extracellular bacterial lipases are lipoproteins (Abdul-Hammid et al,2013; Sagar et al,2013).The production of extracellular lipases from bacteria is greatly influenced by medium composition besides physicochemical factors such as temperature, PH and dissolved oxygen . The major factor for the expression of lipase activity has always been reported as the carbon source, since lipase are inducible enzymes. These enzymes are generally produced in the presence of a lipid such as oil or any other inducer, such as triacylglycerols, fatty acids, hydrolysable esters, Tweens, glycerol and bile salts .However, nitrogen sources and essential micronutrients should also be carefully considered for growth and production optimization(Veerapagu et al., 2013).Considering the important of lipase enzyme, the present study was aimed to isolation and identification of a novel lipase producing bacteria from different sources of oil- contaminant soil and study the activity of these isolates.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to isolate the Lipase Producing Actinobacteria from Birnin Kebbi Soil.

---

1.3 Statement of Problems

The study reveals the following problems associated with Isolation of Lipase Producing Actinobacteria from Birnin Kebbi Soil;

1. Lack proper information about actinobacteria production of Lipase
2. Inadequate information relating to the identification of the effect of Bacterial Strains

---

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Isolation of Lipase Producing Actinobacteria from Birnin Kebbi Soil. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the Bacterial Strains
2. To isolate and Screen Lipase Bacteria Production

---

1.5 Significance of Study

Lipases play a vital role in the manufacturing and services sectors for the mankind. Microbial lipases have gained special industrial attention due to their selectivity, stability and broad substrate specificity. Microbial enzymes are also more stable than their corresponding animal and plant enzymes and their production is more convenient and safer (Veerapagu et al, 2013).

This study will be of immense benefit to microbiologist and other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

---

1.6 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Isolation of Lipase Producing Actinobacteria from Birnin Kebbi Soil in Nigeria.

---

1.7 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

---

1.8 Definition of Technical Terms

Oil: Oil is any non-polar chemical substance that is a viscous liquid at ambient temperatures and is both hydrophobic.

Peanut oil: Peanut oil referred to as groundnut oil or arachis oil, is vegetable-derived oil made from the edible seeds of the peanut plant.

Enterobacteriaceae: Enterobacteriaceae are Gram-negative, rod-shaped facultative anaerobes.

Antibiotic: a medicine (such as penicillin or its derivatives) that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms.

Resistance: Resistance is a measure of the opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit.

Antioxidants: Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body.

Activity: An activity is a phase, task, operation or other component within an activity group.

…