Amylase Activity Of Starch Degradading BacteriaFrom Soil

Abstract

This study reported the isolation and characterization of Enter obac ter sp. bacterial isolates were identified all as bacilli. The ability of this bacterium, isolated from soil, to biosynthesize α-amylase was investigated. Baci llus s ubtilis is an aerobic, Gram-positive, endospore forming bacterium that has the ability to produce and secrete the hydrolyzing carbohydrate enzyme, - amylase. Amylase is an enzyme that is used in various industries to rapidly degrade complex polysaccharides (e.g. starches) into smaller oligosaccharides. Amylase is the enzyme which breaks down starch into glucose molecules and commonly called as glycoside hydrolase enzymes. Amylases are among the most important industrial enzymes and also have great significance in Biotechnology studies. We screened soil bacteria and an isolate alkalophilic Ba cil lus s ubtili s was found to produce an alkaline amylase in different media Bac illus s ubt ilis strain isolated from soil was tested for its abilities to hydrolyze the structural polysaccharides. The strain grows well at 37oc and the 2% starch concentration. The enzyme activities were observed at 2% starch concentration.

Keywords: Bacil lus s ubtilis , Amylase, Soil, Starch