Abstract

PRODUCTION AND OPTIMIZATION OF DEXTRANASE ENZYME FROM STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS CAUSING DENTAL PLAQUES

Sathya, G and Palaniswamy, M.*

Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Karpagam University, Coimbatore �641021, India.

Abstract

S. mutans isolated from the human dental plaques was screened for the presence of dextranase enzyme. Various optimization parameters like temperature, moisture content, incubation days, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources were analyzed under anaerobic conditions for maximum dextranase enzyme production by the submerged fermentation technique with dextran as the substrate. Dextranase production was optimum at a temperature of 37�C, with 50% moisture content in 3 days with sucrose as the carbon source and yeast extract as the nitrogen source, at pH 5.5.

Keywords: S. mutans, dextranase enzyme, submerged fermentation.