N. VANI AND R. SUGANTHI
Abstract
Bacillus species are versatile chemoheterotrophs capable of respiration using a variety of simple organic compounds (Sugars, Amino acids Organic acids). Bacillus sp. produces many different extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, which include proteases (Markland and Smith 1971; Priest, 1977). Proteases execute a large variety of functions and have important biotechnological applications in detergents, leather industry, food industry, Pharmaceutical industry and bioremediation processes (Anwar and Saleemuddin, 1998; Gupta et al. 2002). Many different types of bacteria produce extracellular enzymes. In this study, attempts have been made to compare the production of protease from Bacillus subtilis and to characterize the enzyme activity. Bacillus subtilis was subjected to different substrates and the protease activity was assayed by the method of Lowry's etal. (1951). It was also subjected to different optimum pH, temperature, carbon source and nitrogen source at which Bacillus subtilis showed the highest protease activity was recorded. Therefore the appreciably high enzyme activity and stability at high temperature and pH makes Bacillus subtilis an industrially promising organism with special interest for basic and applied research.