The genus Fusarium as source of the anti-leukemic enzyme l-asparaginase: adjustment of the productive conditions

The enzyme L-asparaginase is used to avoid acrylamide formation in food, and as a pharmaceutical to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. As fungi are eukaryote and good enzyme producers, it is desirable to obtain a fungal L-asparaginase as an alternative to the bacterial enzymes that are currently used in the clinical practice. Glycerol use as carbon source for the metabolism of filamentous fungi is of great interest, once it can be used as a cheaper substrate for enzyme production, L-asparaginase alike, avoiding its discard in nature. As objective of this work, we verified the potential of a strain of Fusarium sp. to convert glycerol to L-asparaginase. Statistical planning of bioprocesses was used to determine significant variables that could be applied for the improvement of the production. The concentrations of glycerol, L-asparagine, and the pH presented significant positive effects. By combining data from multivariate analysis, it was possible to greatly increase enzyme production. The high enzyme activity obtained (29.08 IU) is promising and opens as perspective the possibility of evaluating its anticarcinogenic activity in different tumor cell lines and, thus, to acquire a better comprehension of the L-asparaginase produced by filamentous fungi.