Optimization of Parameters Affecting the Immobilization of Pseudomonas Pseudoalcaligenes Strain Te Cells in Calcium Alginate Beads for Improvement of Protease Production.

Enzymes are used in various industries and one of the enzymes used in these industries is proteases. In this research, the effort was to optimize the immobilization process of Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes strain Te cells in calcium alginate beads, which would lead to a possible increase in the protease production. At first, the desired bacterial strain, i.e., P. pseudoalkaligenes strain Te, was selected and prepared. To optimize the immobilization process of desired bacterial cells in calcium alginate beads, the experimental design method was used by the help of Design-Expert software. The highest amount of enzyme production was determined that the levels of three variables including sodium alginate, 2.5% w/v, calcium alginate, 2.5% w/v, and hardening time, 60 min were found to be optimum level for maximum protease activity (6933.55 U/L). This value was increased compared to the free state (4873.85 U/L). At these levels, the encapsulation efficiency was 91.11%. Repeated batch process with the immobilized cells revealed the stability of the biocatalysts and their capability of protease production. Using calcium alginate beads is an effective method for increasing the production of protease in P. pseudoalcaligenes strain Te, and given the significant enhancement in protease production, this system holds promise for industrial applications, warranting further investigation.