Production of Amylase from Bacteria Isolated from Tannery Effluent

Abstract

Bacteria isolated from tannery effluent collected from Erena local tannery in Niger State were examined for amylase production. Two of the isolates, Bacillus subtilis and Psuedomonas aeruginosa demonstrated ability of amylase production, where Bacillus subtilis has it highest amylase activity of 2.1mg/ml at 18hr, while Psuedomonas aerugionsa has highest activity of 1.7mg/ml at the same period. The optimum temperature and pH were also determined, Bacillus subtilis has highest amylase activity of 2.5mg/ml at 60°C, while Psuedomonas aeruginosa has highest activity of 2.3mg/ml at 80°C. The optimum pH for amylase produced by Bacillus subtilis and Psuedomonas aeruginosa at pH 7 were found to be 2.8mg/ml and 2.7mg/ml respectively. Streptococcus faecalis was not able to produce amylase. The research recommended that, production of the enzymes (amylase) from the two bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis) will pave way for industrialization and reduced cost of production and procurement of this enzymes. The production of amylase by Psuedomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis will also go a long way to conserve our hard earn foreign exchange thereby enhancing the economy, if these orgasms are fully exploited for the production of the enzyme, as well as utilizing the waste effluent that can pollute the environment to a beneficial aspect.