Optimization and cultural characterization of alkalophilic protease producing Bacillus sp. GPA4

A new bacterial isolate belonging to Genus Bacillus coded as GPA4 was analyzed forprotease activity. The strain GPA4 had the ability to produce extracellular protease. Nutrientmedia supplemented with 0.1% of casein showed maximum production of protease of 305U/ml during the stationary phase. Maximum growth of the organism was observed at pH 7but alkaline pH favored protease production. An increased level of 390 U/ml of enzyme wasproduced at pH 8. At 30oC under mild shaking conditions 100 rpm it produced 399.4 U/ml ofenzyme compared to static and shaking incubation at 37o C. Among different metals,addition of Zn2+ induced more enzyme production. Addition of carbon source in the form ofglucose and nitrogen source as soy bean meal increased protease production to 451.4 U/ mland 465 U/ml respectively.