Mucor hiemalis: a new source for uricase production

Abstract

One hundred and sixty-five strains of microorganisms with the ability to grow in a medium containing uric acid as a major source of nitrogen were isolated from soil samples during a screening program. Among them, a zygomycete fungus with well-developed columellae was recognized to produce high levels of the enzyme in a short time. Classification of the isolated fungus was carried out according to the morphological and culture characteristics of the organism, and it was identified as Mucor hiemalis. The fungus was able to produce an intracellular urate oxidase in a fermentation medium mainly containing uric acid. Optimized composition of the medium consisted of (l )1 of distilled water) uric acid, 7.0 g; maltose, 6.0 g; Vogel stock solution, 20 and 1 ml of 0.5 M copper sulphate. The optimum pH and temperature for uricase production in the optimized medium were pH 6 and 30°C, respectively.

Preliminary Study on Factors that Enhanced the Production of Uricase by Aspergillus Flavus

“…Acidic fermentation medium give higher production medium as compared to more basic fermentation medium. The result was coincided with those of Tohamy and Shindia [7] and Yazdi et al [5] who found that pH 6.0 was optimum pH medium for uricase production from Aspergillus flavus and Mucor hiemalis, respectively. However, this result is in disagreement by Ammar et al [8] which reported optimum pH for uricase by Aspergillus flavus was 9.2.…”

“…When the level of uric acid increases in blood over than the normal value it can cause renal failure and may contribute to a group of diseases such as gout, leukimia, toxemia of pregnancy, severe renal impairment and idiopathic calcium urate nephrolithiasis [4]. The first application of uricase in clinical biochemistry is as diagnostic reagents for measurement of uric acid in blood and other biological fluids [5]. Purified uricase from Asperfillus flavus has been found effective in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout [6].…”

Uricase production by a recombinant Hansenula polymorpha strain harboring Candida utilis uricase gene

“…Uricase has been found in mammalian (Wu et al 1989), plant (Suzuki and Verma 1991), and microbial cells (Yazdi et al 2006;Lotfy 2008). Microorganisms, such as bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi, are important sources of uricase.…”

Optimum conditions for uricase enzyme production by Gliomastix gueg

“…Several investigators (Yazdi et al, 2006;Lotfy, 2008 ) studied the optimal temperature and pH for the production of uricase by microorganisms. The effect of various carbon and nitrogen sources on the formation of uricase by microorganisms was studied by several authors (Azab et al, 2005;Zhou et al, 2005;Yazdi et al, 2006;Lotfy, 2008).…”

“…The effect of various carbon and nitrogen sources on the formation of uricase by microorganisms was studied by several authors (Azab et al, 2005;Zhou et al, 2005;Yazdi et al, 2006;Lotfy, 2008).…”