Investigating the L-asparaginase Production in the Yeast Yarrowia ‎Lipolytica

L-Asparaginase catalyzes the hydrolysis of L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia. This enzyme is used for the treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, melanosarcoma and lymphosarcoma. It is also used in the production of acrylamide-free foods. Considering the important applications of this enzyme, the aim of this study was to introduce a new microbial source for the production of eukaryotic L-asparaginase. The quality and quantity production of L-asparaginase was investigated in four strains of yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. The quality assessment of L-asparaginase production was done on asparagine minimal agar. Quantitative assay of the enzyme was done in Czapex Dox’s medium by spectrophotometric method using Nessler’s reagent. All of four strains show that they are able to produce asparaginase making a purple halo around the colony. Y. lipolytica DSM3286, DSM70562, DSM3218 and CBS6303 were produced 17/14, 11, 6/98 and 5/61 U/mL of asparaginase in Czapex Dox’s medium after 24 h, respectively. Discussion and Conclusion: Y. lipolytica DSM3286 was selected as the best asparaginase producer strain with the largest halo and the highest asparaginase production. The Y. lipolytica could be used as a potential source of L-asparaginase production.