Optimization of L-Asparaginase Production from Endophytic Fungus Rhizomucor Variabilis Strain CBS 103.93 Isolated from Mushroom

Introduction: Asparaginase, an enzyme that changes L-asparagine into L-aspartic acid, has attracted a lot of interest recently due to its potential to prevent the development of cancer. Methods: In the present study, the endophytic fungi isolated from wild mushrooms were tested for their ability to produce extracellular L-asparaginase. Results: The isolated organism was identified as Rhizomucor variabilis strain CBS 103.93 by morphological and molecular identification. The enzyme and substrate incubation time of 10 minutes showed the highest production of L-asparaginase at 3.850 U/mL. Rhizomucor variabilis strain CBS 103.93 exhibited the highest enzyme activity on the fourth day of the incubation period at pH 7.0. The most beneficial carbon source was found to be mannitol, and substrate concentration at 1.5% resulted in maximum enzyme production. Inorganic nitrogen (NH4)H2PO4 and organic nitrogen source peptone exhibited maximum enzyme activity. Rhizomucor variabilis strain CBS 103.93 species produced the enzyme under optimal conditions, and a 5-fold increase (from 3.850 U/mL to 19.25 U/mL) was achieved after optimization in submerged fermentation. Conclusion: The optimization processes are beneficial for the industrial production of L-asparaginase for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Hence, it is possible to say that it may find its future application in the pharmaceuticals industry and food industry.