Factorial design for collagenase production by Penicillium sp. selected from the Caatinga soil

Collagenolytic proteases can hydrolyze both denatured and native collagen and are becoming increasingly important commercially. The aim of this work was to select a new strain of Penicillium sp. isolated from the soil of Caatinga for collagenase production. A factorial design 24 was performed to determine the best conditions of enzyme production. Collagenolytic activity reported on this work is about 2 times larger than existing data. According to the growth kinetics, after 126 hours of production, were obtained the highest values of collagenolytic activity and specific activity. The highest values of collagenolytic activity and specific activity were obtained on a culture medium containing 0.25% (w/v) gelatin, 200 rpm, pH 8.0 and 24 °C. Only two factors were statistically significant: pH and temperature, both with negative effects. The experimental design made possible to define fermentation culture conditions able to increase by 66% the value of the initial enzyme activity.Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)