Full Length Research Paper

Production and partial characterization of keratinase produced by a microorganism isolated from poultry processing plant wastewater

Daniel M. T. Tapia* and Maria Lucia Garcia Simões

Departamento de Engenharia Agricola e Solos - DEAS, Universidade Estadual do Sudoete da Bahia-UESB, Estrada do Bem Querer Km 4, Vitoria da Conquista Bahia- Brazil.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: dmttapia@yahoo.com. Tel: (55) 77-34218650.

Accepted 16 October, 2007

A Streptomyces was isolated from poultry plant wastewater, showed high keratinolytic activity when cultured on feather meal medium. Optimum keratinolytic activity was observed at 40^oC and pH 8.0. The enzyme also showed to be stable between 40 and 60^oC. The keratinolytic activity was not inhibited by EDTA, DMSO and Tween 80. On the other hand, CaCl₂, ZnCl₂, and BaCl₂ slightly inhibited the keratinolytic activity. The Streptomyces isolated might be useful in leather, keratin waste treatment, animal feeding industry, and also cosmetic industry.

Key words: Keratinase, streptomyces, wastewater.