Isolation of Novel Pseudomonas diminuta KAC-1 Strain Producing Glutaryl 7-Aminocephalosporanic Acid Acylase

7-Aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) is the initial compound in preparation of cephalosporin antibiotics widely used in clinical treatment. Bacteria producing glutaryl 7-ACA acylase, which convert cephalosporin C to 7-ACA, has been screened in soil samples. A bacterial strain exhibiting high glutaryl 7-ACA acylase activity, designated KAC-1, was isolated and identified as a strain of Pseudomonas diminuta by characterizing its morphological and physiological properties. The screening procedures include culturing on enrichment media containing glutaric acid, glutamate, and glutaryl 7-aminocephalosporanic acid as selective carbon sources. To enhance enzyme production, optimal cultivation conditions were investigated. This strain grew optimally at pH 7 to 9 and in temperatures of 20 to 40 C, but acylase production was higher when the strain was grown at 25 C. Glutaric acid, glutamate and glucos also acted as inducers for acylase production. In a jar fermenter culture, P. diminuta KAC-1 produce acylase in a growth-associated manner. The substrate specificity of KAC-1 acylase by cell extract showed that this enzyme had specificity toward glutaryl 7-ACA, glutaryl 7-ADCA, but not cephalosporin C.