Qualitative and quantitave estimation of production of L-asparaginase: A potential anticancer agent

K Sita Kumari

: J Bioengineer & Biomedical Sci

Abstract :

L-asparaginase is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of L-Asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia. This enzyme is used for the treatment of selected types of haemopoeitic diseases such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. It is also using in food industry for the production of acrylamide free food, model enzyme for the development of new drug delivery system and L-Asparagine biosensor for leukemia. Yeast (Yarrowia lipolytica) is used as a potential producer of L-Asparaginase. A very few work was reported with yeast. The enzyme is routinely screened in culture filtrates using Nessler?s reagent. The procedure is lengthy and time consuming; hence there is still a need to develop a sensitive and rapid procedure for qualitative estimation of asparaginase.In the present investigation, a novel and semi-quantitative plate assay for screening L-Asparaginase-producing micro-organisms. A pH and dye-based fast procedure for screening L-Asparaginase producing micro-organisms was reported. The results are obtained within 24-48 h. The qualitative results were correlate with quantitative estimations in culture broths.