Production and characterization of feather degrading keratinase from <i style="">Bacillus </i>sp. JB 99

Abstract

An inducible keratinase is produced by <i style="">Bacillus</i> sp. JB 99 in a feather medium. Under submerged fermentation condition with continuous agitation (180 rpm), high level of keratinase production occurred at 45^oC after 36 h at <i style="">p</i>H 10. The presence of carbon source in feather medium suppressed the enzyme production, while 0.1% yeast extract enhanced the production. The purified enzyme showed maximum keratinase activity at temperature 65^oC and <i style="">p</i>H 10. The enzyme was monomeric and has a mol wt of approximately 66 kDa (SDS-PAGE). The enzyme may belong to serine protease group as completely inhibited by PMSF. Presence of metal ions, such as, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ba²⁺ stimulated the enzyme activity, while Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺and Fe²⁺ decreased the activity. Present results indicate that <i style="">Bacillus</i> sp. JB 99 can be a highly useful organism for feather meal production and in leather industry.