European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

Authors
Prasad. M.P.

Abstract
Amongst the industrial enzymes, proteases hold a major significance and are used in various industries like soaps and detergents, brewing, meat processing, leather, dairy, pharmaceutical and food. Proteases are one of the many extra-cellular enzymes that are produced by Bacillus sp., which are a group of industrially important microorganisms. In the present study 22 isolates were obtained from the kitchen soil samples. These isolates were then screened for their protease-activity through the plate assay using skimmed Milk Agar. Five isolates showing high protease-activity were selected, which were further characterized based on their colony characteristics, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The genetic variability of these protease producing Bacillus sp. were analysed using RAPD-PCR technique. In the bands obtained using primer A11, 92.30% were polymorphic and only 7.69 % were monomorphic and with C9, 92.7% were polymorphic and only 7.27 % were monomorphic. This method of molecular characterization using random primers implements a rapid identification and the diversity of the Bacillus sp.