Production and characterization of feather degrading keratinase from Bacillus sp JB 99

Abstract

An inducible keratinase is produced by Bacillus sp JB 99 m a feather medium Under submerged fermentation condition with continuous agitation (180 rpm) high level of keratinase production occurred at 45 degrees C after 36 h at pH 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 degrees C and pH 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+ Zn(2+)and Fe2+ decreased the activity Present results indicate that Bacillus sp JB 99 can be a highly useful organism for feather meal production and in leather industry