The soil was suspended in sterile saline and mixed well. Serial dilution of this suspension were made and 0.1ml of each dilution were plated first on nutrient agar plates for colony development .The individual colonies appeared were plated on starch agar plate by middle streak. After 24 hours of incubation bacterial colonies showing clear zone, when the plates were flooded with iodine solution around them were considered to produce extra cellular enzyme.

Using procedures given in Bergy”s manual of determinative bacteriology the partial identification of bacteria was performed. (Sneath et al., 1986)

Equal volume (50ml) of sodium alginate solution and 1ml of cell slurry was gently mixed together. The mixture was extracted drop wise, through a 10ml syringe, from a height of about 2°Cm into a excess of 0.2M calcium chloride solution in a suitable volume for 100ml of mixture. The beads of calcium alginate entrapped cells were left under incubation in the calcium chloride solution, for about 20min.The preparation of control for immobilized cells was also carried out.

The enzyme production medium contained ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (0.02), manganese chloride (0.05), soluble starch (0.2), beef extract (0.02), distilled water (100ml). The pH of the medium is adjusted to 6.5.

The cells were entrapped by calcium alginate method. Two sets of production medium were prepared. To one of it entrapped gel beads were added. To the second unimmobilized cells were added control was set up by the medium containing calcium alginate without cells. After incubation the enzyme was assayed at different pH, at different temperature, at different time interval and also with different substrate concentrations.

0.1ml of 24 hours old culture was inoculated into 50ml of production media and incubated in the incubator at 37°C.At regular intervals, 1.5ml of the culture were removed for amylase assay.

The effect of pH of the medium on the alpha amylase production is observed by inoculating 0.1ml of 24 hours old culture into 50ml of production media of various pH range 6.5 – 8.5 and incubated at 37°C .At regular intervals 1.5ml of culture was with drawn and used for alpha amylase activity.

The effect of temperature was done by incubating the centrifuged culture supernatant of both immobilized and immobilized cells at various temperatures like 29°C, 37°C, 55°C and 70°C for 30 minutes. After incubation this crude enzyme is assayed.

The effect of substrate is done by inoculating 0.1ml of immobilized and unimmobilized cells of 24 hours old culture into 50ml of production medium of various substrate concentration via 0.1 – 1.0. It is incubated at 37C. At regular intervals 1.5ml of culture was withdrawn and used for alpha amylase assay.

The characterization of the type of amylase is performed by thin layer chromatography

Samples collected were screened for amylase producing micro organisms on starch agar plates with clear zone was seen after flooding the plate with iodine. The samples were streaked on nutrient agar plates.

These two isolates are identified by Bergey”s manual of systemic bacteriology (Sneath,et.al, 1986). They were identified as genus Bacillus. Further investigation is essential to identify these at species level. Emanuilova, et al., (1984), reported that the Bacillus sp. Produce the acidic and alkaline amylase.

The enzyme production by the two isolates was studied. The values are tabulated in table after 48 hours. Chabb, et.al. (1997) reports that the alpha amylase is maximum near 48hours.

Figure 1

Table 1: Alpha amylase production from Bacillus isolates

The effect of pH.

The isolates grown at pH 6.5 and 7.5 at 24hours and 72hours were found to produce enzyme, but it was less when compared to 48hours of incubation. Even at 24 hours and 48 hours with increase in pH 8.5, there was decrease in enzyme production.

Figure 2

Table 2: Effect of pH of production medium on alpha amylase activity after 24 hours.

The isolates showed maximum enzyme activity at 45°C, whereas nearly 30% of activity was decreased on increase of temperature at 55°C.

Figure 3

Table 3: Effect of temperature on alpha amylase production

The substrate concentration has major effect on amylase activity. The isolates showed increased activity from 0.1% to 1.0% at 48 hours of incubation. But during 24 hours and 72 hours of incubation there was decreased enzyme activity when compared to 48 hours of incubation.

Figure 4

Table 4: Effect of substrate concentration on alpha amylase production.

The enzyme separated from Bacillus species were separated in thin layer chromatography. The Bacillus sp. produced maltose and maltotriose.