Isolation; Characterization and Screening of L-Asparaginase Producing Actinomycetes (Streptomyces) from the Soil Samples of Gulf of Mannar Region

Dhanam Jayam G, Kannan S

Abstract: L-asparaginase (L-asparagine amido hydrolase; E. C.3.5.1.1) is an extra cellular enzyme that has received considerable attention since it is used as an anticancer agent. In the present study; the 17 actinomycetes strains were isolated from the soil samples of Gulf of Mannar region (Rameshwaram) using starch casein agar medium and ISP-5 medium. The isolated strains were screened for the L-asparaginase production by using Modified M9 Medium containing L-asparagine and phenol red as indicator. L-asparaginase activity was detected on the basis of pink color around the colony. Out of 17 strains screened for L-asparaginase activity only five strains shows positive result.

Keywords: Soil, actinomycetes, Characterization, L-asparaginase, Screening