A thermophilic Bacillus stearothermophilus F1 that produced an extremely thermostable alkaline protease was isolated from decomposed oil palm branches. The isolated protease was purified to homogeneity by heat treatment, ultrafiltration and gel filtration chromatography with a 128-fold increase in specific activity and 75% recovery. The protease, which is a serine-type enzyme, has a relative molecular mass of 33 500 by sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis but only 20 000 by gel-filtration chromatography. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 9.0 and was stable for 24 h at 70° C and in the pH range from 8.0 to 10.0. It was capable of hydrolysing many soluble and insoluble protein substrates but no esterase activity was detected. The enzyme activity was markedly inhibited by Co2+ and Hg2+, whereas Mg2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Sr2+ had little or no inhibitory effect. However, Mn2+ strongly activated the protease activity. The protease exhibited a high degree of thermostability [t 1/2 (85° C) = 4 h, (90° C) = 25 min]. The stability at higher temperatures (85° C and above) was shown to be dependent on the presence of Ca2+.

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A method for primary plate assay to determine lipase activity was developed. Tween 80 was used as the substrate with either Victoria Blue B, methyl red or rhodamine B as the indicator. Lipolytic activity was determined by the formation of the zone of intensification of the indicator colour after 24 h. Similar results were obtained using Tween 20 and 60 as substrates. Intensity of the colour is greater than that of the trioleindye system and clearer than the hydrolysis zone of tributyrin plate. Tests using a commercial enzyme preparation and growth media with lipolytic activity showed that the zone of intensification increased with increased lipolytic activity. A linear relationship can be seen when log enzyme concentration is plotted against the diameter of zone of intensification. Using this technique, primary screening of lipolytic microorganisms can be conducted using the formation of zones of intensification around the colonies and mycelia.

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Lipase fromCandida rugosa was modified with several hydrophobic modifiers before being adsorbed onto organic polymer beads. The effects of different enzyme modifiers, supports, solvents, reaction temperatures, fatty acids, and alcohols on the activity of the immobilized enzyme were investigated. The immobilized lipases were good biocatalysts for esterification reactions in organic solvents. They exhibited high activities in all solvents tested, including polar solvents. The activity seemed to depend on the type of support rather than on the modifier of the enzyme. The medium polar support, XAD7, appeared to be the best for the modified lipases. The immobilized lipase favored the medium‐chain fatty acids rather than the long‐chain fatty acids as acyl donors. The alcohol selectivity of the enzyme was unchanged upon immobilization. The native and immobilized lipases favored the short‐chain and terpene alcohols as nucleophiles.