• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2002

The cloning and expression of $\beta-glucosidase$ II, encoded by the gene ${\beta}glu2$, from thermotolerant yeast Pichia etchellsii into Escherichia coli is described. Cloning of the 7.3 kb BamHI/SalI yeast insert containing ${\beta}glu2$ in pUC18, which allowed for reverse orientation of the insert, resulted in better enzyme expression. Transformation of this plasmid into E. coli JM109 resulted in accumulation of the enzyme in periplasmic space. At $50^{\circ}C$, the highest hydrolytic activity of 1686 IU/g protein was obtained on sophorose. Batch and fed-batch techniques were employed for enzyme production in a 14 L bioreactor. Exponential feeding rates were determined from mass balance equations and these were employed to control specific growth rate and in turn maximize cell growth and enzyme production. Media optimization coupled with this strategy resulted in increased enzyme units of 1.2 kU/L at a stabilized growth rate of $0.14\;h^{-l}$. Increased enzyme production in bioreactor was accompanied by formation of inclusion bodies.