Assessment of lipolytic activities of bacteria isolated from palm oil processing cottage industries in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Palm oil industry is currently a world leader in the supply of oils and fats which constitutes one of the major sectors of the highest economic importance in Nigeria. This study investigates the lipolytic activity of microorganisms isolated from palm oil processing cottage industries in Ekiti State. Soil samples were taken from a depth of 10 – 15 cm in six different locations within Ekiti State, Nigeria. Microorganisms were isolated from the effluents and identified using standard microbiological techniques and molecular characterization. The microbial isolates were screened for lipase production using modified mineral salt medium in submerged fermentation. Lipase production by the isolates was assessed by halo zone of clearance on nutrient agar plates after incubation at 37oC for 24 hours. The strains of molecularly identified bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa AE016853.1; P. syringae CP019871.1 and P. putida JQ782512.1. From this study, the microorganisms (P. aeruginosa, P. syringae and P. putida) isolated from the selected palm oil processing sites display high potential of lipase production. The lipase produced from the Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited high lypolytic activities. The POMEs could serve as source of bacteria for the production of lipases of commercial uses.