The production of the enzyme dextransucrase using nonaerated fermentation techniques

High yields of the enzyme dextransucrase have been produced repeatedly by fed-batch fermentation techniques. Activities in excess of 21.9 U/cm(3) have been obtained by culturing Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512(F) under nonaerated fed-batch fermentation conditions. Aerobic fermentations carried out under identical conditions have consistently produced enzyme of less than 17 U/cm(3), but with no difference in the final cell concentration in the broth. Different types of yeast extract have been found to have significant effect on the final cell concentration and more especially on the enzyme activity with enzyme yields varying by as much as 50% when different types of yeast extracts were used.