Optimization of Extracellular Alkaline Protease Production by Bacillus firmus LE02, Isolated from a Ponyfish, Leiognathus equula

Four bacterial strains such as Pseudomonas stutzeri LE01, Bacillus firmus LE02, Cytobacillus firmus LE03, and Bacillus licheniformis LE04 were isolated from Leiognathus equula and screened for enzyme production. Among these strains, B. firmus LE02 was found to be a potential one for producing amylase, protease, lipase and cellulase with maximum zone of clearance. The optimum condition for protease production by B. firmus LE02 was salinity 1%, pH 9 and lactose 1%. The protease produced by B. firmus LE02 was 0.045mg/ml in comparison with standard proteinase K. Further optimization is required for the large scale enzyme production and characterization is also warranted for effective application.