Keratinase Production by ThreeBacillusspp. Using Feather Meal and Whole Feather as Substrate in a Submerged Fermentation

Abstract

ThreeBacillusspecies (B. subtilisLFB-FIOCRUZ 1270,B. subtilisLFB-FIOCRUZ 1273, andB. licheniformisLFB-FIOCRUZ 1274), isolated from the poultry industry, were evaluated for keratinase production using feathers or feather meal as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources in a submerged fermentation. The threeBacillusspp. produced extracellular keratinases and peptidases after 7 days. Feather meal was the best substrate for keratinase and peptidase production inB. subtilis1273, with 412 U/mL and 463 U/ml. The three strains were able to degrade feather meal (62–75%) and feather (40–95%) producing 3.9–4.4 mg/ml of soluble protein in feather meal medium and 1.9–3.3 mg/ml when feather medium was used. The three strains produced serine peptidases with keratinase and gelatinase activity.B. subtilis1273 was the strain which exhibited the highest enzymatic activity.