EXPLORING MARINE BACTERIA-DERIVED LIPASES FOR SUSTAINABLE DETERGENT FORMULATIONS: PRODUCTION, PURIFICATION, AND STABILITY ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Lipases, versatile enzymes produced by microbes, find extensive applications in diverse industrial processes, with notable significance in the laundry industry where lipase-based detergents efficiently eliminate lipid-based stains from textiles, enhancing cleanliness and sustainability. The utilization of microbial lipases in detergent formulations offers significant potential for reducing environmental impact. Marine environments, renowned for their extreme conditions, harbor microorganisms with robust enzymatic capabilities, making them attractive candidates for enzyme production. In this study, lipase enzymes sourced from marine bacteria, particularly Brevibacillus borestelensis, were targeted for production and partial purification to assess their suitability as detergent additives. Through process optimization, lipase production was enhanced, and subsequent partial purification facilitated the evaluation of enzyme stability and activity in the presence of various commercially available detergents. The identification of the marine bacteria was achieved through sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, confirming their taxonomic classification. The purified lipase exhibited a molecular mass of approximately 35 kDa and a specific activity of 110.8 U/mg. Furthermore, the stability of the lipase with commonly used detergent powders was evaluated, demonstrating compatibility with various detergents, with more than 80% relative activity retained. These findings underscore the potential of microbial lipases, particularly those sourced from extreme environments, as environmentally friendly additives in detergent formulations, contributing to sustainable cleaning practices in the industry.