Screening and Selection of Medium Components for Cyclodextrin Glucanotransferase Production by New Alkaliphile Microbacterium terrae KNR 9 Using Plackett-Burman Design

Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) production using new alkaliphile Microbacterium terrae KNR 9 was investigated by submerged fermentation. Statistical screening for components belonging to different categories, namely, soluble and raw starches as carbon sources, complex organic and inorganic nitrogen sources, minerals, a buffering agent, and a surfactant, has been carried out for CGTase production using Plackett-Burman factorial design. To screen out k (19), number of variables, k+1 (20), number of experiments, were performed. Among the fourteen components screened, four components, namely, soluble starch, corn flour, yeast extract, and K2HPO4, were identified as significant with reference to their concentration effect and corresponding p value. Although soluble starch showed highest significance, comparable significance was also observed with corn flour and hence it was selected as a sole carbon source along with yeast extract and K2HPO4 for further media optimization studies. Using screened components, CGTase production was increased to 45% and 87% at shake flask level and laboratory scale fermenter, respectively, as compared to basal media.