Activity of bacterial lipases at chilling temperatures

Two Pseudomonas aeruginosa two Pseudomonas fluorescens three Aeromonas hydrophila, one Aeromonas caviae, two Staphylococcus aureus and two Serratia marcescens strains were tested for their ability to digest tributyrin at temperatures ranging from -2 degreesC to +7 degreesC over a period of 38 days using a modified agar-diffusion test. Hydrolysis was observed at ail of the temperatures investigated, with she exception of S. marcescens lipases at -2 degreesC. A decrease in storage temperature was associated with a significant reduction of enzyme activity but no complete inactivation - even at -2 degreesC. initial reactions occurred after 3 days. For practical applications, it can be concluded that during storage of chilled pro ducts, lipolytic activity can occur provided that enzyme synthesis has taken place before chilling has started. (C) 2001 Academic Press.