Efficient production of ulvan lyase from Ulva prolifera by Catenovulum sp. LP based on stage-controlled fermentation strategy

Abstract Ulvan lyase, specifically depolymerizing ulvan to unsaturated sulfated oligosaccharides with diverse biological activities, is becoming more and more popular. To provide an economical fermentative strategy, Catenovulum sp. LP cultured in low-cost medium that directly used Ulva prolifera as the main carbon source was used to produce ulvan lyase. The fermentation conditions were established in a shake flask containing 5% (w/v) U. prolifera powder, 0.2% K2HPO4, 0.4% NH4Cl, 0.5% NaCl, and 0.05% MgSO4. In a 5-L fermentor, series of strategies were used to systematically discuss the fermentation process. The enzyme with the best activity was obtained by the condition of a two-stage temperature (28–32 °C), initial pH 7.0, 1.5 vvm and two-stage agitation (200–400 rpm). The fermentation kinetic model of substrate consumption indicated that a shorter culture time may improve the ulvan lyase activity. Moreover, 10.09% improvement in enzyme activity was observed in a 30-L fermentor by shortening the fermentation time to 20 h. This fermentation method offers a promising prospect to enlarge the production of ulvan lyase and also provides a potential possibility to mildly prepare bioactive unsaturated oligosaccharides.