Optimization and cultural characterization of alkalophilic protease producing <em>Bacillus</em> sp. GPA4

Abstract

A new bacterial isolate belonging to Genus Bacillus coded as GPA4 was analyzed for protease activity. The strain GPA4 had the ability to produce extracellular protease. Nutrient media supplemented with 0.1% of casein showed maximum production of protease of 305 U/ml during the  stationary phase. Maximum growth of the organism was observed at pH 7 but alkaline pH favored protease production. An increased level of 390  U/ml of enzyme was produced at pH 8. At 30ºC under mild shaking conditions 100 rpm it  produced 399.4 U/ml of enzyme compared to static and shaking incubation at 37º C. Among different metals, addition of Zn2+ induced more enzyme  production. Addition of carbon source in the form of glucose and nitrogen source as soy bean meal increased protease production to 451.4 U/ ml and 465 U/ml respectively.