title: Improved production of alkaline protease from a mutant of alkalophilic Bacillus pantotheneticus using molasses as a substrate.
abstract: An alkalophilic bacterial isolate identified as Bacillus pantotheneticus, isolated from saline-alkali soils of Avadh region of UP, India, was studied for the production of alkaline protease. The mutant of the isolated species showed 44% improved production over the parent strain. Organic nitrogen sources supported better protease production than the inorganic sources. The production of alkaline protease was (242 U/ml) in the medium containing molasses, which was comparable with molasses and wheat bran (285 U/ml) as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Protease production was best at pH 10 and temperature 30 degrees C. The Km (for casein) was 11 mg/ml and Vmax was 380-microg tyrosine/ml/min. The enzyme was stable between pH 7 and 10.7 and temperature between 30 and 60 degrees C with a pH and temperature optimum at 8.4 and 40 degrees C, respectively. The results indicated that molasses was an optimal substrate for alkaline protease production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad 224 001, UP, India. dr_shikha2003@yahoo.co.in
authors.lastname: Shikha
authors.forename: Adhyayan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharan
authors.forename: Nandan S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Darmwal
mesh_terms: D001407:Bacillus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008965:Molasses; D009154:Mutation; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D010450:Endopeptidases; C087822:alkaline protease