MALAY SHAH, DEEPA TIWARI AND RAJNISH VAIDYA
Abstract
The present study aimed at isolating keratinolytic bacteria from poultry soils and poultry waste dumping sites in and around Mumbai region, India. In all, 35 isolates were obtained after enrichment. All the 35 isolates were primarily screened on milk agar plates to check proteolytic potential. Based on CS/CZ ratio, 9 isolates showing significant proteolytic activity were selected. These 9 isolates were subjected to secondary screening which involved determination of percentage feather degradation and keratinase enzyme activity in cell free supernatant. Isolate I23 was found to have significant feather degrading potential as determined by percentage feather degradation (76.04%). The keratinase activity in the cell free supernatant for this isolate was 43.52 U/mL. Scanning electron microscopy studies showed structural damage of the feather surface caused by isolate I23. The isolate I23 was identified and related to Stenotrophomonas spp. on the basis of phenotypic characterization, biochemical properties and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The isolate was able to grow on whole feather medium as a source of carbon, nitrogen and energy, indicating its adaptability to keratinaceous material.