Keratinase Production by Three Bacillus spp. Using Feather Meal and Whole Feather as Substrate in a Submerged Fermentation

Abstract EN

Three Bacillus species (B.

subtilis LFB-FIOCRUZ 1270, B.

subtilis LFB-FIOCRUZ 1273, and B.

licheniformis LFB-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 three Bacillus spp.

produced extracellular keratinases and peptidases after 7 days.

Feather meal was the best substrate for keratinase and peptidase production in B.

subtilis 1273, 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.

subtilis 1273 was the strain which exhibited the highest enzymatic activity.