Abstract

ALKALINE PROTEASE PRODUCTION BY BACILLUS SP. HAP-1, A HALOPHILIC BACTERIUM ISOLATED FROM A SOLAR EVAPORATION POND

Ashitha A.*, Jyothis Mathew, Radhakrishnan E. K.

ABSTRACT

A halophilic alkaline protease producing bacterium was isolated by screening bacteria obtained from the salt samples collected from solar evaporated salt ponds of Vasai Road East, Mumbai, India, using skim milk agar. By the 16s r DNA sequencing and BLAST analysis, the organism was identified as Bacillus sp. HAP-1. Bacillus sp. HAP-1 was found to be growing at salt concentrations of 10- 20%. The present study was conducted to isolate a halophilic alkaline protease producing bacteria which can be used in industries as their proteins can withstand high salt concentrations.

Keywords: Alkaline protease, Bacillus sp. HAP-1, Halophiles.