A Study of the Optimization of Anti-Tumor L-Asparaginase Production Using Bacillus subtilis Isolated from the Soil of East Azerbaijan Province

L-asparaginase can be effectively used for the treatment of cancers, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, melanosarcoma, and lymphosarcoma. Bacterial sources contribute to the mass production of L-asparaginase.

In this study, a novel L-asparaginase-producing bacterium was isolated from the soil of East Azerbaijan Province. Totally, 4 isolates were shown to have high L-asparaginase activities by using Nessler's reagent through the spectrophotometric method. The strain with glutaminase-free L-asparaginase activity was chosen for further studies. The isolated strain was identified via microscopic and biochemical tests. The growth conditions, including nutritional factors (carbon and nitrogen sources) and physical parameters (pH and temperature), were assayed and optimized for maximum L-asparaginase growth rate and production.

B. subtilis as a potential microorganism was isolated, screened, and identified for the production of L-asparaginase. The optimization study revealed that maximum L-asparaginase could be produced at pH 7.0 and temperature of 37oC in the presence of 1% whey as the most suitable carbon source and 0.2% asparagine as a nitrogen source.

The mentioned organism could be exploited for industrial production of L-asparaginase to be eventually utilized in cancer therapy. Under the obtained optimal conditions, L-asparaginase production was enhanced up to 2-fold (7.8 U/ml).