Production and properties of L-asparaginase from Mucor species associated with a marine sponge (Spirastrella sp.).

The fungus Mucor sp. isolated from the marine sponge Spirastrella sp. produced extracellular L-asparaginase. The maximum L-asparaginase activity was found at 50 degrees C. The activation and deactivation energies of the partially purified enzyme were 9.58 and 21.69 kcal mol-1, respectively. The enzyme activity was not affected by the addition of 4% (w/v) NaCl and different metal ions (Co+2, Fe+2, Mg+2, Ni+2, and Zn+2) at 25 mmol l-1 but was strongly inhibited by EDTA.