Optimization of Pectinase and Protease Produced from Bacillus subtilis Isolated from Market Waste

Aims: The objective of the study was to produce and optimize protease and pectinase from Bacillus subtilis isolated from market waste.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology (laboratory unit), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State Nigeria.

Methodology: The production and optimization of protease and pectinase from bacteria isolated from solid market waste was investigated. Isolated bacteria from the waste were screened for protease and pectinase production using skim milk agar and pectin agar respectively. Using morphological, biochemical and molecular technique the enzymes producing isolate was confirmed as Bacillus subtilis. Protease and Pectinase were produced by Bacillus subtilis using submerged fermentation in gelatin broth and pectin broth respectively. The enzymes were purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis and ion-exchange chromatography. Optimization using different temperatures, pH and nutrient sources was done. Enzyme activity was measured.

Results: Purified protease exhibited maximum activity of 8.72U/ml at 40oC while pectinase exhibited maximum activity of 8.98U/ml at 50oC. Glucose as a carbon source and peptone as a nitrogen source gave optimum activity for both enzymes. Both pectinase and protease exhibited optimum activity at pH 9. There was significant difference (P=.05) in enzyme activity at different temperatures, pH and nitrogen sources for both protease and pectinase. There was no significant difference in pectinase activity at P=.05 for the different carbon sources while there was significant difference for protease activity for the different carbon sources at P=.05.

Conclusion: Production of microbial enzymes such as protease and pectinase from waste material is an eco-friendly process and cheaper option for large scale use of enzymes in industry.