Screening, optimization, and molecular characterization of cold-active lipase producing Bacillus cereus I₁₃ from Arctic sediments

Cold-active enzymes are extremozymes produced by psychrophiles, and have attracted much attention as biocatalysts due to their capacity to resist extreme reaction conditions in industrial processes. This study aimed to isolate bacterial strains from Arctic fjord sediments and screen them for lipase enzyme production. Out of 73 isolates, 8 were identified as good lipase producers. Bacillus cereus I₁₃ exhibited the highest activity of 11.42 U/mL on the 4th day of incubation at 20 °C, along with the large zone of clearance of 27 mm. Optimum conditions for lipase production were identified as pH 7.0, a temperature of 20 °C, and 96 h of incubation, with glucose as a carbon source, yeast as a nitrogen source, and olive oil as a substrate. Bacillus cereus I₁₃ has the potential to be used for the industrial production of cold-active lipase, and this study provides evidence that potent isolates can effectively increase lipase production.