A Study on Optimization of Microbial Alpha-Amylase Production

Abstract

The present study is concerned with the production of α-amylase by the bacterial species Bacillus. The study is focused mainly on the optimization of α-amylase from sago industrial waste. Various optimization parameters like carbon sources, nitrogen sources, incubation time, pH and temperature are preferred for getting good results. Morphological and biochemical characteristics are used to identify the strain of Bacillus species. The maximum amount of amylase production is observed under various measurements. The total protein content of amylase enzyme is found out. The optimum temperature for the production of high amount of amylase is categorised. It is noted that the carbon source like maltose could improve the production of amylase. Casein acts as a good nitrogen source for the production of amylase. pH values are maintained individually in each growth. These results provide the ways in which α-amylase is produced in considerable amounts by bacterial species which are isolated from the industrial waste soil. These amylases are important hydrolase enzymes which have been widely used to convert starch molecules to simple sugars. Among amylases, α-Amylase is in maximum demand due to its wide range of applications in the industrial front. They are used in detergents, paper industry, textile industry, food industry and many other industrial applications. Nowadays consumers are very much aware of the health and environmental problems and hence enzymes are used instead of chemical catalysts. Though enzymes are obtained by several plants, animals and microbial sources, enzymes from microbes are preferred due to its availability and ease of production in large scale sectors. One of the leading environmental issues is waste management. Hence, by considering the waste samples of industries for the production of amylase, effective and intensive utilisation of waste can be measured thereby obtaining useful products in biological ways. Biochemical characterization of sago industry waste shows that it is rich in carbohydrates and contains 55-60% of starch.