Conditions for the production of L-asparaginase 2 by coliform bacteria.

Of 28 coliforms, five strains of Escherichia coli were particularly active in elaborating L-asparaginase 2, the form of the enzyme useful in the treatment of some forms of cancer. Since it is advantageous to start purification of the enzyme from highly active cells, cultural conditions necessary for good growth and high enzyme yield have been studied. Gentle aeration proved suitable for good growth as well as high enzyme content. Stationary cultures gave poor growth, whereas vigorous aeration gave good growth but resulted in a marked decrease in the enzyme content of the cells. L-Asparaginase 2 has been purified about 40-fold by a combination of ammonium sulfate and ethyl alcohol precipitations.