ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Production and characterization of surfactant-stable fungal keratinase from Gibberella intermedia CA3-1 with application potential in detergent industry

Rong-Xian Zhang, Jin-Song Gong, Wen-Fang Dou, Dan-Dan Zhang, Yu-Xia Zhang, Heng Li, Zhen-Ming Lu, Jin-Song Shi, and Zheng-Hong Xu

School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China

E-mail: shijs@163.com

Abstract: Surfactant-stable keratinases with good properties are promising candidates for extensive applications in detergent industries. A novel fungal keratinase-producing strain, Gibberella intermedia CA3-1, is described in this study. The keratinase production medium was optimized and composed of 10 g L⁻¹ of wool powder, 5 g L⁻¹ of tryptone, 10 g L⁻¹ of maltodextrin and 0.5 g L⁻¹ of NaCl. Keratinase activity was increased up to 109 U mL⁻¹ from 15 U mL⁻¹ by culture optimization. The optimal reaction pH and temperature of the enzyme were 9.0 and 60°C, respectively. The keratinase activity could be improved by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), and it remained stable in the presence of several surfactants and commercial detergents. G. intermedia keratinase was proved to completely remove blood stains from cotton cloth when combined with detergents. These findings indicate that this fungal keratinase is a promising catalyst for the application in detergent industry. To our knowledge, this is the first report on keratinase production by Gibberella genus.

Keywords: Gibberella intermedia – keratinase – detergents – surfactants – biocatalysis

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1515/chempap-2016-0086

Chemical Papers 70 (11) 1460–1470 (2016)