Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for providing enhanced yield and simplified isolation of hydrophobic enzymes from a culture medium. The process comprises the steps of: (a) culturing a hydrophobic enzyme-secreting microorganism in an aqueous culture medium comprising a yield-enhancing effective amount of a nonionic surfactant having a cloud point of less than 40.degree. C. for a time sufficient to provide enhanced secretion of said enzyme from said microorganism, (b) removing said microorganism from said culture medium to provide a microorganism-free solution, (c) heating said microorganism-free solution to a temperature above said cloud point to cause phase separation of said culture medium into an aqueous phase, and a non-aqueous phase containing said nonionic surfactant and said yield-enhanced hydrophobic enzyme, and (d) isolating said non-aqueous phase containing said nonionic surfactant and said yield-enhanced hydrophobic enzyme.

Abstract: A novel lipase from a newly-discovered strain of Pseudomonas alcaligenes microorganism having (i) an optimum pH for activity of about 10.+-.0.5; (ii) an optimum temperature for activity of about 45.degree. to 55.degree. C.; (iii) an optimum pH for stability of about 7.0.+-.0.5; (iv) a molecular weight as measured by SDS-PAGE of about 3.0.times.10.sup.4 ; and (v) chemical stability for at least a 60 day mean half-life in the presence of a 10 percent solution of polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether in 25 millimolar aqueous calcium chloride. Also claimed is a biologically pure culture of the microorganism, and a method for the production of the lipase. Also claimed is a lipase characterized by containing an N-terminal amino acid sequence which is Gly-Leu-Phe-Gly-Pro-Ser-Gly-Tyr-Thr-Lys-Thr-Lys-Tyr-Pro-Ile.

Abstract: A novel lipase from a newly-discovered strain of Pseudomonas alcaligenes microorganism having (i) an optimum pH for activity of about 10.+-.0.5; (ii) an optimum temperature for activity of about 45.degree. to 55.degree. C.; (iii) an optimum pH for stability of about 7.0.+-.0.5; (iv) a molecular weight as measured by SDS-PAGE of about 3.0.times.10.sup.4 ; and (v) chemical stability for at least a 60 day mean half-life in the presence of a 10 percent solution of polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether in 25 millimolar aqueous calcium chloride. Also claimed is a biologically pure culture of the microorganism, and a method for the production of the lipase.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a detergent composition comprising the microbial lipase SD2 and dodecylbenzene sulfonate. In the detergent composition, the lipase SD2 is characterized by having (i) optimum pH for activity of about 8.+-.0.5; (ii) an optimum temperature for activity of about 30.degree. to 55.degree. C. and (iii) a molecular weight as measured by gel permeation chromatography of about 8.8.times.10.sup.4.

Abstract: A novel lipase from a newly-discovered strain of Pseudomonas alcaligenes microorganism having (i) an optimum pH for activity of about 10.+-.0.5; (ii) an optimum temperature for activity of about 45.degree. to 55.degree. C.; (iii) an optimum pH for stability of about 7.0.+-.0.5; (iv) a molecular weight as measured by gel permeation chromotagraphy of about 8.8.times.10.sup.4 ; and (v) chemical stability for at least 30 days in the presence of the surfactants. Also claimed is a biologically pure culture of the microorganism, and a method for the production of the lipase.