International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences PRODUCTION OF KERATINOLYTIC ENZYME BY A NEWLY ISOLATED FEATHER DEGRADING BACILLUS SP. FROM CHICK FEATHER WASTE

A novel feather-degrading Bacillus Sp. was isolated from chick manure. The bacterium produces keratinolytic enzyme using chicken feather as a sole of carbon and nitrogen source. The effect of temperature, pH on keratinase production of this keratinolytic strain was studied. Maximum enzyme activities were obtained within 48 hrs (780U/ml) of cultivation. The optimal conditions for the keratinolytic activity were determined to be pH 9.0 and temperature 60°C; however the enzyme showed a broad range of pH between 5-10 and temperature 20°C 100°C. In addition, the Bacillus sp was able to completely degrade within a period of 48 hrs. MUTHUSAMY GOVARTHANAN Dept.of biotechnology,Mahendra Arts & Science College, Kalippatti, Namakkal-637 501, Tamilnadu, India. [email protected]