Solid state fermentation for production of L – asparaginase in rice bran by Serratia marcescens SB08

L – asparaginase, produced by various genera under solid-state and submerged cultivation, is an important chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of a variety of lymphoproliferative disorders and lymphomas, acute lymphoblastic leukemia in particular. In this study, L – asparaginase production by Serratia marcescens SB08 in rice bran supplemented with different nutrient factors in broth medium was investigated. With 50 % initial moisture content in rice bran and supplemented with yeast extract (0.5%, w/v) and at 36 h incubation time, a maximum L asparagine production of 79.84U/g was achieved. When rice bran was combined with other starchy substances in the culture medium, quantum of L – asparaginase yield declined significantly. In rice bran, Serratia marcescens SB08 produced comparatively more L – asparaginase yield. Since rice bran is a very cheap, easily available source and more suited for L asparaginase production in solid state cultivation, a detailed study for the large-scale fermentation processes using rice bran are suggested.