Detection of Industrially Important Hydrolytic Enzymes from the Indigenously Isolated Strains of Bacillus Licheniformis

Abstract

White biotechnology has benefited greatly from the employment of highly specific enzymes in a range of industrial processes. The choice of robust bacterial strains with the appropriate enzymatic profiles is critical for commercial viability. The present study was undertaken for isolation, identification and screening of native bacterial strains for production of industrially important hydrolytic enzymes. Morphological, and biochemical characterization has revealed five novel isolates of Bacillus licheniformis. These isolates showed a wide physiological versatility, such as growth at the temperature range of 30.0-55.0°C and resistance to high salinity (2.0-10.0%). All isolates produced significant extracellular amounts of main hydrolytic enzymes; protease, α-amylase, glucoamylase, cellulase and pectinase with varying titers. Quantitative enzyme assays revealed protease activity ranging from 45.2-78.6 U/mL, amylase activity from 32.5-65.3 U/mL, and cellulase activity from 18.7-42.1 U/mL. These strains demonstra