Influence of controlled pH on the activity of UDPG-pyrophosphorylase in Aureobasidium pullulans

UDPG-pyrophosphorylase is the key enzyme involved in pullulan biosynthesis and pullulan production by Aureobasidium pullulans. In this study, effect of controlled pH on fermentation time, pullulan production, biomass, and UDPG-pyrophosphorylase activity was investigated. Pullulan yield increased to reach a maximum within 4 days, and maximum UDPG-pyrophosphorylase activity was observed at day 3, while the biomass continued to increase until the end of the experimental period. The A. pullulans isolated from sea mud grew well at relatively low pH. UDPG-pyrophosphorylase activity was affected by the controlled pH and reached a maximum at pH 5.5. Results indicated that UDPG-pyrophosphorylase activity was highly correlated with controlled pH and pullulan biosynthesis rate.