(57e) Optimization of Process Parameters for Protease Production Form Thermophilic Bacterial Strain Isolated from Hot Water Springs in Oman

Proteases are hydrolytic enzymes capable of degrading proteins into small peptides and amino acids. They account for nearly 60% of the total industrial enzyme market and are extensively exploited commercially, in food, pharmaceutical, leather and detergent industry. A bacterial strain isolated from hot-water springs from Oman was tested in the present study for thermostable protease production efficiency, and process parameters were optimized using CCD and RSM. Physio-chemical parameters influencing the growth of organism were identified by Plackett-Burman method using nine variables; five nutritional, three physical (time, pH, temperature) and C/N ratio. Optimum levels of most influencing parameters affecting protease production were obtained by CCD and results were analyzed using ANOVA. The effect of interaction of physiochemical parameters on the protease production was studied by response surface curves. A high similarity was observed between the predicted and experimental results, which reflected the accuracy and applicability of RSM to optimize the process for enzyme production. The maximum protease production 1977.41 U/ml was achieved at pH 8.2 at 65 °C. Cell immobilization and bench scale optimization was also tried successfully for industrial level production studies.