Abstract:
Phytase is important for animal feed supplementation. Previous work showed
that Escherichia coli K12 produced phytase but could not secrete it. Later, the gene
coding for phytase was cloned and transformed into Pseudomonas putida which could
secrete the enzyme and utilize simple materials as a nutrient source. Thus, it was
necessary to find out the general properties of phytase and its digestion efficiency as
well as the best developing medium.
Pseudomonas putida carrying Escherichia coli gene (appA) [P(EappA)] was
studied for extracellular phytase production. General properties of P(EappA) phytase
were determined by using culture supernatant produced in Luria Bertani medium.
Crude phytase was found to be most stable at pH 4 and 8 when stored for two hours at
4oC, and at pH 4 and 10 when stored at 37oC. It was most stable at 45oC. The optimal
condition for its activity was obtained at pH 4, 55 oC. P(EappA) phytase was sensitive
to trypsin, taurocholic acid, deoxycholic acid and propionic acid. Nonetheless, its
activity was enhanced when stored with lactic acid. As to the effect of ions, P(EappA)
phytase was stable when stored in Na+, K+, Mn2+ and Co+ but was not stable when
stored in Ca2+, NH4
+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+. In addition, the enzyme activity was
enhanced when stored in Mg2+, although it was insensitive to EDTA. In developing
the medium, P(EappA) phytase was found to be best produced in medium composed of
Phytase Screening Medium with phytate omitted and supplemented with 10% soybean
meal, 0.1% yeast extract and 0.1% citric acid. In preparation of this medium, glucose
was added prior to sterilization. Cultivation of P(EappA) in 500-ml of this medium
showed that P(EappA) growth entered log phase at 12 hours and reached maximum
growth at the 18 hours with a growth rate at 0.1 OD600/hr. Phytase production was
concomitant with growth with a rate at 6.32 U/hr. After 48 hours, the phytase activity
obtained was 177.62 U/ml. The level of reducing sugar decreased slowly during the
first 30 hours and then dropped rapidly when growth reached the stationary phase. The
level of pH did not show vigorous change throughout the cultivation. P(EappA) also
contained other enzyme activities: amylase, cellulase, xylanase and endoglucanase.
P(EappA) phytase was concentrated and stored in three forms: solution, air-dried and
wet precipitates, which retained ≥80% of activity after a 28-day storage. When each
form of enzyme was mixed in chicken feed, the air-dried form was the most stable. As
to digestion efficiency, the enzyme helped to increase the phosphate and protein
contents in chicken feed, wheat bran and soybean meal but not in rice bran, while the
level of reducing sugar contents in all materials tested did not significantly increase.
Soymilk digestion under the condition used in this study was unsuccessful