Study of nutrient media components and cultivation conditions of Bacillus licheniformis BCC-02-50 for protease production using molasses as energy source

Abstract

An efficient thermotolerant strain Bacillus licheniformis was used in this study for optimizing different variables (time period, carbon and nitrogen sources, temperature, pH, age and size of inoculum) for protease production using one variable at one time. All the variables were found significantly influencing protease production individually and in interaction with other variables. The study predicted protease production of 2356 U/mL after 36 h of incubation and further enzyme concentration increased up to 4387 U/mL when molasses (20 g/L) and yeast extract (10 g/L) were used as sole carbon and nitrogen source. More increase in extracellular protease secretion was noted in alkaline pH 10.0 (6463 U/mL) and 7528 U/mL at temperature 48 °C. Results suggest practical approach for protease production for local detergent preparations and leather industries.