Phytase from antarctic yeast strain Cryptococcus laurentii AL(27)

Cryptococcus laurentii strain AL(27) demonstrating significant potential for intracellular phytase production was selected by 2-step screening of Antarctic yeasts. The strain showed increased phytase activity in a culture medium with 40 g/L sucrose, KH2PO4 providing 5 mg/L phosphorus, and cultivation temperature of 24 degrees C, which relates it to psychrotrophic microorganisms. The enzyme kinetic characteristics according to sodium phytate were K-m = 0.98 mmol/L, v(lim) = 33.3 mu mol g(-1) min(-1). The enzyme had maximum activity at 40 degrees C and acted within a wide pH range: from 2.0 to 5.5, which is of positive significance for its direct inclusion into the feed of monogastric animals.