Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

ISSN 2736-1756

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2013

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2013 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Production dynamics of Bacillus subtilis strain AG-1 and EAG-2, producing moderately alkaline proteases

Afia Ghafoor* and Shahida Hasnain

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Quaid-e-Azam Campus University of the Punjab. 54590. Lahore, Pakistan.

Accepted 9 April, 2013

Abstract

Bacillus strains isolated from different habitats were screened and identified for high protease activity. Two of the bacillus strains genetically identified as Bacillus subtilis AG-1 and Bacillus subtilis EAG-2 exhibited tremendous potential for protease production. The strains were optimized with respect to production media and its components. Culture conditions were critically investigated with reference to other key determinants, involving inoculum concentration, incubation time, initial pH of the medium and temperature. The optimum production pH and temperature was found to be 7.0 and 35oC for B. subtilis AG-1, while 7.2 and 37oC were the optimum conditions for B. subtilis EAG-2. The inoculation ratio and incubation time were determined for both of the strains as 1% (v/v) and 24-32 h respectively. The study reveals that, high protease yield can be achieved over a moderate fermentation period with relatively economical production costs. Hence these strains might be useful for commercial exploitation.

Key words: Bacillus subtilis, protease, production medium, pharmamedia, optimum growth.