SCREENING AND OPTIMIZATION OF PROTEASE PRODUCING BACTERIAL ISOLATE FROM THE GUT OF Portunus pelagicus AND ITS PROSPECTING POTENTIAL IN DETERGENT INDUSTRY

The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential application of alkaline protease as a laundry additive in detergent formulations. It is widely preferred over the conventional synthetic detergents for their better cleaning properties in addition to various other applications. A microorganism PP16 which produces protease was isolated from the gut of Portunus pelagicus and it was identified as Bacillus subtilis based on 16S rRNA sequencing. Enzyme yield was maximized by optimizing the composition of a culture medium. The optimum fermentation conditions for maximum protease production was 254.98 U/ml at 42°C. Fructose was a good carbon source while casein was utilized as a good nitrogen source for enzyme production. The partially purified enzyme was shown to have a relative molecular weight of 75 kDa. Crude protease enzyme extract activity against hydrolysis of stains like chocolate and grass were examined by enzyme compatibility analysis and wash performance test. Protease showed its stability at 40–50°C with most of the detergents, which enabled it as a choice for application in detergent industries.