Protease Production Capabilities of Micrococcus Luteus and Bacillus Species Isolated from Abattoir Environment

Abstract

The study investigated the optimu m conditions of temperature, pH, inoculu m size and time of incubation on bacterial p rotease production. Protease producing bacterial species were isolated fro m abattoir soil and identified as Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus species. The optimu m conditions observed for protease production was 37℃ at pH 7, with 1% inoculu m in the mediu m for 24 h of incubation in Micrococcus luteus while in Bacillus species, the optimu m conditions observed was 47℃ at p H 9, with 2% inoculu m concentration in the med iu m for 96 h of incubation. Generally, temperature and pH had more effect on the protease activity of Micrococcus luteus while inoculu m concentration and time of incubation had more effect on the protease activity of Bacillus species. The study gave evidence that these bacterial isolates could be potentially applied in biotechnological processes.