Isolation and identification of hydrolytic enzymes generated by halophilic bacteria in center of Iran

Background: Bacteria are one of the important sources of producing enzymes. The aim of this study was to the isolate the halophilic bacteria producing amylase, lipase and pectinase from saline soil of the center of Iran.

Methods: In this study, soil samples were collected from Dagh Biarjmand and Haj Aligholi in Semnan province. At first, isolated halophilic bacteria were cultured and screened for producing of hydrolytic enzymes including amylase, lipase and pectinase using enzyme-specific media. The enzymatic activities of isolates were recognized by induction of growth inhibition zone and/or precipitation around colonies after addition of related indicators. Afterward, enzyme positive isolates were identifies using the 16S rRNA sequencing.

Results: Out of 7 bacterial isolates, 4 bacteria with amylase activity, 6 bacteria with lipase activity and 3 bacteria with pectinase activity were recognized and identified. Results showed that 2 isolates with the ability of producing all three types of enzymes belong to Bacillus genus using molecular identification methods. Furthermore, the halophilic bacteria producing amylase and pectinase were belonging to Bacillus and Halobacillus genera. Besides, bacteria producing lipase belonged to Bacillus and Virgibacillus genera.

Conclusion: The Bacillus bacteria isolated from the soil can produce all three amylase, pectinase and lipase enzymes.