The Diversity of the Alkaline Protease Producers, Thermophilic Obligate Bacillus spp., from Sungai Tutung Hot Spring, Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the diversity of the alkali protease producers, thermophilic obligate Bacillus spp., from Sungai Tutung Hot Spring in Kerinci, Jambi, Indonesia. The use of modified methods in exploring biodiversity from an extreme environment was useful as a tool for the discovery of more specific and thermostable enzymes from new sources. Based on the sequence analysis of the DNA isolate, there were six species with 14 strains identified from the hot spring. All strains grew well in thermophilic Bacillus medium at 60 0C with pH 8.0. They are also potentially able to produce alkali protease with the proteolytic index in the range of 0.25-6.15. Although characteristics of each strain were diverse, generally the color of the strains was from white to dark white and the shape was round with flat edges and raised elevations. Gram-positive bacteria with rod shape, central endospore, and purple color were observed under the microscope. Biochemical observation showed that all strains exhibited positive result from the catalase test, did not produce gas and sulfide, had positive mortality and to the sugar series test showed positive and negative variations. The identified species were: Bacillus sonorensis, Bacillus lichenmiformis, Brevibacillus borstelensis, Paenobacillus, Bacillus aerius, dan Fictibacillus gelatini.

Keywords

• diversity
• bacillus
• thermophilic obligate
• protease alkali
• sungai tutung.