Studies on the alpha-amylase production were carried out with a bacterial strain isolated from a soil sample. The cells were cultivated in a mineral medium containing soluble starch as sole carbon source. The addition of calcium (10 mM) or peptone (1%) and yeast extract (0.5%) to the mineral medium shortened the lag period and improved the growth and alpha-amylase synthesis. The addition of glucose to the culture diminished greatly the synthesis of alpha-amylase, demonstrating that a classical glucose effect is operative in this organism. The optimum temperature and initial medium pH for amylase synthesis by the organism were 50°C and 7.0 respectively. The optimal pH and temperature for activity were 6.0 and 50°C respectively. The enzyme extract retained 100% activity when incubated for one hour at 90°C and 40% at 60°C for 24 h. The addition of glucose to the culture diminished greatly the synthesis of alpha-amylase.
alpha-amylase; thermophilic bacterium; thermostable enzymes; Bacillus sp
