Statistical optimization of culture media components for enhanced production of lipase by lipolytic yeasts, Pichia sp. and Trichosporon coremiiforme using response surface methodology

Lipases are versatile enzymes that catalyze lipid hydrolysis and have wide-ranging applications across various industries. The present study aims to enhance lipase production by lipolytic yeasts, Pichia sp. and Trichosporon coremiiforme using Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) waste as a substrate. Optimization was performed by varying the substrate concentrations and pH using the statistical approach called Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The total carbohydrate measurements demonstrated that Pichia sp. exhibited the highest carbohydrate consumption in nutrient-enriched POME after 72 h. One-Factor-At-A-Time (OFAT) testing revealed optimum conditions for Pichia sp. at a substrate concentration of 50% and pH 7, yielding lipase activities of 6.6 U/mL and 11.6 U/mL, respectively. However, for Trichosporon coremiiforme, the optimal conditions were found as substrate concentration of 50% and pH 8, resulting in lipase production of 28.3 U/mL and 30 U/mL respectively. Furthermore, the RSM analysis predicted optimum conditions of 80% substrate concentration and pH 5 for Pichia sp., while Trichosporon coremiiforme showed optimum conditions at 53.1% substrate concentration and pH 8. The confirmation tests performed under these optimal conditions revealed enhancement in the lipase production with a value of 27.9 U/mL for Pichia sp. and 19.4 U/mL by Trichosporon coremiiforme on waste POME. The above findings encourage POME as a promising substrate for lipase production by Pichia sp. and Trichosporon coremiiforme signifying their potential biotechnological applications.