A highly selective whole cell biocatalysis method for the production of two major bioactive conjugated linoleic acid isomers

Abstract

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is well known potential anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic and a number of other therapeutic qualities bearing substance. In the present study we have isolated Lactobacillus plantarum from local dairy buffalo milk and used as a whole cell biocatalyst, for selective CLA isomer production from linoleic acid (LA). Quantitative analysis revealed that the cis-9, trans-11 CLA comprised of 51% (w/w), while trans-10, cis-12 CLA accounted for 49% (w/w) of total CLA produced by L. plantarum. The product formation and quantitation was monitored by the spectrophotometric method and the individual isomers separation was done with GC–FID. After optimization of biotransformation conditions such as pH, LA concentration, effect of preincubation, fermentation time; the highest CLA production (19.07% conversion) was achieved at 120 h in the presence of 1.62 mg ml−1 of LA. The results revealed that the bacterium is an efficient biocatalyst for the production of two major bioactive CLA isomers using LA as a substrate.