Enhanced α-amylase production by a marine protist, Ulkenia sp. using response surface methodology and genetic algorithm.

Amylases are a group of enzymes with a wide variety of industrial applications. Enhancement of α-amylase production from the marine protists, thraustochytrids has been attempted for the first time by applying statistical-based experimental designs using response surface methodology (RSM) and genetic algorithm (GA) for optimization of the most influencing process variables. A full factorial central composite experimental design was used to study the cumulative interactive effect of nutritional components viz., glucose, corn starch, and yeast extract. RSM was performed on two objectives, that is, growth of Ulkenia sp. AH-2 (ATCC® PRA-296) and α-amylase activity. When GA was conducted for maximization of the enzyme activity, the optimal α-amylase activity was found to be 71.20 U/mL which was close to that obtained by RSM (71.93 U/mL), both of which were in agreement with the predicted value of 72.37 U/mL. Optimal growth at the optimized process variables was found to be 1.89A. The optimized medium increased α-amylase production by 1.2-fold.