Production, Purification and Applications of Microbial L-Glutaminase

Abstract

Glutaminases are amidohydrolases that are produced by a wide range of microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and fungi. They catalyze the degradation of glutamine into glutamic acid. This unique property of glutaminases forms the basis for their applications in many industries, including pharmaceuticals and food fields. Microbial glutaminases are more significant than animal-derived glutaminases because they are more efficient, quick, stable, and compatible with downstream processes. Microbial glutaminases are expected to have high potential in the following areas: anti-cancer, antiviral and antioxidant therapy, oriental food flavor enhancers, biosensors and nutritional theanine production. This review focuses on glutaminase production and advances in their applications and how it can be optimized and purified.