METHIONINE PRODUCTION USING NATIVE STARCHES AND … · 19 Feb 2016, Revised on 10 March 2016, Accepted on 30 March 2016 ... INTRODUCTION Methionine (alpha-L-amino-gamma-methylthio-n-butyric

www.wjpps.com Vol 5, Issue 4, 2016.

2056

Ezemba et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

METHIONINE PRODUCTION USING NATIVE STARCHES AND

PROTEINS IN SUBMERGED FERMENTATION BY BACILLUS

CEREUS S8.

1C. C. Ezemba*;

2V. N. Anakwenze;

2E. J. Archibong;

2C. G. Anaukwu; 3Z.C. Obi;

2C.

C. Ekwealor and 2I. A. Ekwealor

1College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Applied Microbiology and

Brewing, Renaissance University, Ugbawka. Enugu State, Nigeria.

2School of Biosciences, Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe

University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

3Department of Science Education Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University Anambra State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Methionine-producing bacteria characterized as Bacillus cereus S8

based on 16s rRNA sequencing isolated from soil in Awka was

screened for methionine production in submerged medium using

agricultural products. Experimental studies were based on various

starch hydrolysates: wheat (Triticum aestivum), sorghum (sorghum

bicolor), cassava (Manihot esculenta), cocoyam (Alocasia amazonica),

yam (Dioscorea rotundata), plantain (Musa sapientum), millet

(Panicum miliaceum), corn (Zea mays), potato (Ipomoea batata), rice

(Oryza sativa).) and defatted proteins; pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan),

cowpea (Vigna sp.), bambaranut (Voandzeia subterranean), groundnut

(Arachis hypognea) as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively.

Studies on various carbon and nitrogen sources showed that yields of

2.05mg/ml and 2.04mg/ml were achieved with plaintain-starch

hydrolysate/groundnut meal and corn-starch hydrolysate/defatted

bambara meal respectively after a fermentation period of 96hours.

KEYWORDS: Bacillus cereus, agricultural products, methionine production, fermentation.

WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

SJIF Impact Factor 6.041

Volume 5, Issue 4, 2056-2067 Research Article ISSN 2278 – 4357

*Correspondence for

Author

C.C. Ezemba

College of Natural and

Applied Sciences,

Department of Applied

Microbiology and

Brewing, Renaissance

University, Ugbawka.

Enugu State, Nigeria.

Article Received on

19 Feb 2016,

Revised on 10 March 2016,

Accepted on 30 March 2016

DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20164-6320


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1. INTRODUCTION

Methionine (alpha-L-amino-gamma-methylthio-n-butyric acid), is an essential amino acid

that was first isolated by (Mueller, 1922). It cannot be synthesized internally but may be

added to food and feed materials to improve the protein quality (Pham et al.,1992).

It cannot be over emphasis that plant foods (agricultural products) have been the ultimate

source of nutrient for the whole wide world i.e man and microorganisms. Methionine can be

found in high levels among some plant foods such as nuts, meat, and others (Noftsger, et al.,

2005). However some plant proteins are also deficient in methionine. Therefore, additional

supplement in diet will be needed to meet nutritional requirements in both humans and

animals (Gomes and Kumar, 2005).

The impact of L-methionine on humans and animal nutrition, have led to increasing research

interest in developing a microbial process for commercial production of methionine (Noftsger

et al., 2005; Kroger et al., 1997; Silveri et al., 2003; Parcell, 2002).

Attempts have been made to overproduce biologically active L-methionine using

fermentation (Roy et al., 1989; Kase and Nakayama, 1975b; Mondal et al., 1996; Kumar et

al., 2003a; Reershemius, 2008; Dike and Ekwealor, 2013; Anakwenze, et al., 2015a).

Submerged fermentation is advantageous in that it produces biologically active L-methionine

(Anakwenze, et al., 2015b). Also fermentation processes have been able to inexpensively

provide many other amino acids using agricultural products. The important properties of

these fermentation media are that they are low cost, and products used in production are

economical, rich in nutrient and free of toxins. It has been reported that Nigeria has a large

production of cassava, cocoyam, millet, potato, plantain, yam, rice, corn, wheat, sorghum,

soy bean, pigeon pea, cowpea, bambara and groundnut (Anon, 2011b). Because of the large

production of these agricultural products in Nigeria, methionine production by fermentation

process may likely be more economical.

Several researches have been carried out using agricultural products in production as basic

carbon and nitrogen sources (Pharm et al.,1992; Umerie et al. 2000; Ekwealor and Orafu,

2003; Ellaiah, et al., 2004; Ajila, 2007; Vastrad and Neelagund et al., 2011).

This study was conducted to examine the influence of agricultural products on methionine

accumulation by Bacillus cereus S8 in submerged fermentation.


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2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Microorganisms

The microorganisms used for this study was Bacillus cereus S8, recovered from soil ecovars

in Awka, Eastern Nigeria, and has been previously screened for methionine production on

solid agar medium (Anakwenze et al, 2014a). The organism was maintained on Nutrient agar

(Lab M) slant at 4°C.

2.2. Materials used for the Experiments

Cassava tubers were obtained from the agricultural farm at Nnamdi Azikiwe University,

Awka, Cocoyam was gotten from farm located at Mgbuwa, Ichida, while sorghum, wheat,

plantain, sweet potato, yam, corn, rice, millet, groundnut and cowpea pigeon pea and

bambara nut were purchased from the Ose market, Onitsha and Eke-Awka market, Awka.

The enzymes, α-amylase (Termamyl) and amyloglucosidase were obtained from Life

Breweries Onitsha, Anambra State. The experiments were conducted at both Department of

Applied Microbiology and Brewing, and National Agency for Food and Drug Adminstration

Control (NAFDAC), Agulu, all in Anambra State, Nigeria.

2.3. Carbon Sources: Preparation of native starches

Native starches used include: wheat (Triticum aestivum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor),

cassava (Manihot esculenta), cocoyam (Alocasia amazonica), yam (Dioscorea rotundata),

plantain (Musa sapientum), millet (Panicum miliaceum), corn (Zea mays), potato (Ipomoea

batata) and rice (Oryza sativa). The native starches were prepared according to the method

described by Odibo (1987). Cassava, cocoyam, potato and plantain samples were first peeled,

washed and cut into small cubes before being homogenized with water in a Moulinex

blender. Sorghum, corn and millet were soaked for 48h to soften the seeds and then

homogenized with water. Each homogenate mixed with excess water was tied in a cheese

cloth and placed on a tripod stand overnight, to allow for the leaching out of starch into a

clean plastic bowl. The supernatant was decanted and the sedimented starch dried at 50°C for

48h. The resultant flakes were ground into powder and used as native starches.

2.3.1. Saccharification of Starch

The method described by Umerie et al. (2000), was used for the saccharification of native

starches. A 500ml flask containing a mixture of 30g of native starch and 100ml of water was

heated for 15min at 95oC in a water bath to gelatinize the starch. The beaker was covered

with an aluminium foil after adding 1.0ml of α-amylase and heated again in a water bath for


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10 min at 95°C to effect liquefaction. After cooling the liquefied starch to 60°C, 1.0ml

amyloglucosidase enzyme was added before replacing the beaker in the water bath at 60°C

for 48h, for saccharifcation to take place.

2.4. Nitrogen Sources: Preparation of Native Proteins

The proteins used include: pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), cowpea (Vigna sp.), bambaranut

(Voandzeia subterranean), and groundnut (Arachis hypognea).

The method described by Umerie et al. (2000) was used in preparing native proteins. They

were milled in a Moulinex blender and some fractions of the homogenized native proteins

were then defatted by Soxhlet extraction method using the solvent diethyl ether. The meals

obtained after extraction were oven-dried at 34-35oC for 20h and then ground into fine

powder.

2.5. Shake Flask Fermentation

2.5.1. Inoculum preparation

The medium for seed inoculum consists of: peptone, 10.0g; yeast extract, 10.0g; NaCl, 5.0g;

distilled water, 1L. The pH was adjusted to 7.2 with 1N NaOH. One loopful of a 24h old

culture of the isolate on Nutrient agar was inoculated into 1ml of the sterile seed medium in a

test tube and incubated for 24h on a orbital shaker (VWR DS2-500-2) at 160rpm and 30°C.

2.5.2. Fermentation

Fermentation was carried out following the method described by Ozulu et al (2012). The

composition of the fermentation medium was: KH2PO4, 0.05g; K2HPO4, 0.05g;

MgSO4.7H2O, 0.1g; MnSO4.4H2O, 0.001g; FeSO4.7H2O, 0.001g; CaCO3, 20g; starch

hydrolysates, 20g; defatted nitrogen sources, 10g; distilled water 1L. The pH was adjusted to

7.2 with 1N NaOH. Twenty millimeter of the medium in 100ml Erlenmeyer flask was

sterilized in an autoclave at 115°C for 10min, cooled and then inoculated with 1ml (OD 3.00)

of the seed inoculum. The flask was incubated for 72h on an orbital shaker at 160rpm and

30°C. Duplicate flasks were used and uninoculated flasks served as control. Methionine

accumulation in the broth culture was determined.

2.5.3. L-Methionine Assay

Quantitative determination of methionine in the broth culture without purification was carried

out following the method described by Greenstein and Wintz (1961). To 5ml of the


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supernatant after centrifugation at 5000xg for 15min was added 1ml of 5N NaOH and 0.1ml

of 10% sodium nitroprusside solution. The tube was thoroughly shaken and the mixture

allowed to stand for 10min. Then 2ml of 3% aqueous solution of glycine was added to the

reaction mixture with frequent shaking over a period of 10min. After an additional 10min

interval, 2ml of concentrated orthophosphoric acid was added drop wise to the mixture and

the test tube properly shaken. Colour development was allowed to proceed for 5min and

colour intensity measured at 540nm in a spectrophotometer (PerkinElmer Lambda 35 UV-

VIS). The methionine yield was extrapolated from a standard methionine curve.

2.6. Influence of carbon and nitrogen sources on methionine accumulation by Bacillus

cereus S8

Different starch hydrolysates as carbon sources: wheat, sorghum, cassava, cocoyam, yam,

plantain, millet, corn, potato, rice and different defatted protein sources as nitrogen sources:

pigeon pea, cowpea, bambaranut and groundnut were examined for their effects on

methionine production by Bacillus cereus S8. After 72h fermentation, methionine production

was determined as previously described.


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RESULT

Influence of carbon and nitrogen sources on methionine accumulation by Bacillus

cereus S8

The influence of different starch hydrolysates and defatted proteins on methionine production

by Bacillus cereus S8 are presented in Fig. 1-5.


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The effects of different starch hydrolysates and soyabean on methionine production by

Bacillus cereus S8 are shown in Fig.1. Corn and soyabean gave the highest methionine

accumulation (1.92mg/ml) while soyabean and potato gave the least yield (1.33mg/ml)

Statistical analysis (Anova), showed significant difference when different carbon sources are

used (p=0.00).

Figure 2, shows the effects of different starch hydrolysates and cowpea on methionine

production by Bacillus cereus S8. It shows that corn and cowpea gave the highest methionine

yield of 1.93 mg/ml while cocoyam and cowpea gave the least (1.18mg/ml). P-value = 0.00,

indicating that there is significant difference in methionine production when different starch

hydrolysates and defatted cowpea were used.

The effects of different starch hydrolysate and bambara nut on methionine production by

Bacillus cereus S8 as studied (Fig.3), indicate that corn and bambara nut gave the highest

concentration methionine of 2.04mg/ml while potato gave a low methionine production of

0.99mg/ml. There is significant difference in methionine production by the microorganism

when starch hydrolysates and defatted bambara nut are used (p=0.00).

Figure 4, shows the effects of different starch hydrolysates and defatted groundnut on

methionine production by Bacillus cereus S8. Plantain and groundnut gave a high methionine

yield of 2.05 mg/ml while 1.14mg/ml methionine was obtained when corn and groundnut was

in used. Statistical analysis (Anova), showed a significant difference when starch hydrolysate

and defatted groundnut are used (p=0.00).

The effects of different starch hydrolysates and pigeon pea on methionine production by

Bacillus cereus S8 as examined (Fig.5). it indicate that cocoyam and pigeon pea gave

methionine yield of 1.96mg/ml while the least (1.0mg/ml) was obtained with potato.

Satistically, P-value = 0.000, indicating that there is significant difference in methionine

produced with the different starch hydrolysates and pigeon pea used.

DISCUSSION

The use Bacillus species for methionine production by many workers have been observed

(Anakwenze et al 2014a, b; Dike and Ekwealor 2012b; Ali, 2008). Although they are not yet

known to be overproducers like species of Corynebacterium and Brevibacterium (Sharma,

2001; Mondal and Chatterjee, 1994). Bacillus species have also been reported in the


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production of lysine (Umerie et al., 2000; Ekwealor and Orafu, 2003; Ekwealor and Obeta,

2005).

The ability of Bacillus cereus S8 to utilize native starches and proteins for the production of

methionine is shown in Fig.1-5. This observation is supported by the work of Pham et al.

(1992), who reported the use of carbohydrate sugar cane juice; molasses, banana, cassava and

coconut water as source of carbon for methionine production. Umerie et al. (2000), also used

agricultural by- products for lysine production as a sole carbon and nitrogen source. They

reported that millet and soyabean meal gave the highest lysine yield (5.67g/l) by Bacillus

laterosporus. Ekwealor and Orafu (2003), reported the secretion of high lysine yield by

Bacillus megaterium SP-14 and Bacillus circulans TX-22 using natural proteins as nitrogen

sources.

Trifonova et al. (1993) and Javed et al. (2011), used agricultural product as substrate for

production of lysine by Brevibacterium spp. and citric acid by Aspergillus niger respectively.

Nicoloni et al. (1987) and Nigam (2000), used agricultural by- products for single cell protein

production. While Buzzini et al. (1993), produced gluconic acid by Aspergillus spp and

Gluconobacter oxidans. Ellaiah et al. (2004), working with Streptomyces marinensis NUV 5,

reported that wheat bran is the better solid support material for the production of neomycin

under SSF. Economou et al. (2011), produced single cell oil from rice hulls hydrolysate.

Aspergillus niger strains were able to produce citric acid from substrates such as cassava

bagasse (Vandenberghe et al. 2008).

The markedly enrichment of microorganism with native starches implies a very high rate of

carbon utilization. This could be attributed to slowly- utilized carbon sources and low protein

dispersion index (PDI) of nitrogen source (Vastrad and Neelagund 2011). They also reported

that relatively cheap agro industrial by-products (hemicelluloses, cellulose, proteins and

starch) have a great potential to be utilized as alternative fermentation substrates because they

contain abundant nutrients.

However, contrary to the report in this study, Akcan (2011), reported that wheat starch, wheat

flour and rice flour repressed amylase production but observed that corn flour and corn starch

enhanced amylase activity. Saxena and Singh (2011), using various agro-industrial wastes for

amylase production by solid-state fermentation with wheat bran, gram husk, rice bran and

mustard oilseed cake as substrates using Bacillus species, reported that other substrates


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followed by wheat flour and rice bran showed decreasing inductivity for L-methioninase

production by Aspergillus flavipes.

This result is in contrast to the report of Umerie et al. 2000, who noted that Bacillus

laterosporus gave the highest yield of 5.67g/l when millet/soyabean meal and low lysine

yield when corn was used as the carbon/nitrogen substrate respectively.

Ekwealor and orafu (2003), concluded that use of native starches and protein sources are the

most economical and practicable means of producing lysine by fermentation methods.

From the results evaluated, methionine production using native starches and proteins (corn

and soyabean) shows that values obtained from this study to those obtained from the reports

Anakweze et al , (2014a), who used glucose and ammonium sulphate for the same organisms.

We can conclude that media containing native starches and proteins on methionine

production by Bacillus cereus S8.

CONCLUSION

The current study points to the successful utilization of agricultural products as substrates for

L-methionine production by Bacillus cereus S8 under submerged fermentation. Considering

the production cost, availability of raw material, market size re-utilization of bioresources,

environmental regulation, feasibility of the submerged fermentation, downstream processing,

utilization of bacteria for production of L-methionine is a promising approach. Since

agricultural by-products are good sources of carbon /nitrogen and are rich in fermentable

substrates, commercial production of methionine can be increased by the use of these

products in the fermentation medium.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We are grateful to at Macrogen Incop, Republic of Korea for identification of the organism

using 16S rRNA sequencing and also National Agency for Food and Drug Administration

Control (NAFDAC) Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria for allowing us to conduct some research

in their noble laboratory.

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Documents

METHIONINE PRODUCTION USING NATIVE STARCHES AND … · 19 Feb 2016, Revised on 10 March 2016, Accepted on 30 March 2016 ... INTRODUCTION Methionine (alpha-L-amino-gamma-methylthio-n-butyric