Isolation of a Alkaliphilic α-Amylase-Producing Bacillus sp. from Sewage in Sironj District, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh

Bacillus strains that produce α-amylase were found in the sewage systems of Sironj, India. This area's textile industry has historically used significant amounts of starch. Bacillus sp. was one of the isolates. On starch agar, the SIR-1 isolate had the most enzyme activity and a hydrolysis zone. To identify the bacterial isolates, biochemical characterization was used. This indicated that it was a Gram-positive, catalase-positive, citrate-positive bacterium that was excellent at breaking down starch. Their crude α-amylase, quantified using the DNS method (41.3 mg/ml reducing sugars), showed excellent alkaliphilic and thermostable properties, with optimal activity at 60°C and pH 9. Microbial amylases don't usually tolerate high temperatures and pH levels together. The evidence suggests that they have changed their structure to fit the starch-rich human-made environment of Sironj. Its stability under extreme conditions makes this enzyme a potential candidate for industrial applications such as detergent formulations, textile desizing, and bioethanol production. This study indicates that historical ecological niches can be good places to find new biocatalysts. The results connect the study of microbes to industrial biotechnology and encourage researchers to look into habitats that haven't been studied much to find new enzymes. Key Words: Bacillus sp., α-amylase, Industrial Biotechnology