ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION A PROTEASE PRODUCING BACTERIUM FROM THE FLORA OF TERMITES

Background and Aim:Microbial proteases cover 65 percentof industrial enzyme s market and about %25 of the total production of enzymes.Proteases are used in different industries such as detergent additives,photography,food,dehairing in leather and pharmaceutical industries.The aim of the present study was isolation and identification of bacteria from digestive system of termites producing proteases and determination optimal conditions to reach the maximum of protease production.Methods:Initially, a few termites were washed carefully with sterile water,their abdomenswere removed using a sterile syringeand transferred to a plate containing nutrient agar and incubated at 37 °C in incubator. After separating colonies, their protease activities were evaluated bythe skim milk agar. The selected colony was identified by 16SrDNA. Finally, optimal growth conditions regarding carbon and nitrogen sources,various substrate,temperature and pH rangeswereexamined.Results:Among 5 colonies one colonyproducing a transparent clear zonewas selected. Molecular analysis showed that the isolate belonged to bacillus family and named as Bacillus sp. CH96. Lactose and ammonium chloride was the best sources of carbone and nitrogen while casein (1%) has the highest enzyme production. Temperature 37 °C and pH 8 showed the most enzyme production.Conclusion:The isolate ofBacillus sp. CH96 in current study possessed potential protease that may be used in some industries.

Keywords:

Protease , Bacillus , termits , enzyme production