ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 12 (10), pp. 001-009, October, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A potential new isolate for the production of a thermostable extracellular α- amylase
Ahmed, A. Alkando, Hanan Moawia Ibrahim*
Central Laboratory, Ministry of Science and Technology, Sudan.
Accepted 15 July, 2018
Abstract
Two hundred and seventy Bacillus species were isolated from soil samplse in Khartoum State and tested for α- amylase production. 20 potential isolates of α- amylase producer were obtained during primary screening. Secondary screening of these isolates yielded a high thermostable alkaline α-amylase producing isolate. Of all the species tested, Bacillus licheniformis gave maximum α-amylase activity of 0.7947 U/mg/ml at pH of 8 in iodine method, and (0.024 U/mg/ml) in 3.5.dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method. Characterization of the extra-cellular crude α- amylase was further evaluated for its biochemical properties as an enzyme for industrial use. The production of α- amylase following growth of the microorganism was found to be at optimum temperature and pH of 70°C and 9.0, respectively.
Key words: Thermostable α- amylase, alkaline α- amylase, Bacillus licheniformis.