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 K 2 HPO 4 , 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 K 2 HPO 4 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.