Banana Peels As Substrate For Amylase Production By Locally Isolated Bacillus And Characterization Of The Enzyme

Abstract

he amylase enzyme production was detected from 14 bacterial isolates isolated from different soil samples using the plate assay method. Only 7 isolates (50%) of these isolates showed their ability to produce the amylase. The highest-producing isolates were chose based on the diameter of clear hydrolization halo formed around their colonies on the plate, there were three isolates. Based on morphoogical and chemical characteristics and the API 50 CHB system, 3 strains were identified as Bacillus subtilis. The isolate which had biggest halo on the plate (A4) was selected for further studies. The activity of the enzyme produced using banana peels as the sole carbon source was estimated and the enzyme activity was 43.17 U/ml. Optimum temperature and pH for enzymatic activity of this strain were pH 8.0 (44.09 U/ml) and 45 °C (44.83 U/ml).